German Phrase
Was können Einzelne tun?
Meaning
Literally, 'What can individuals do?' It asks for possible actions that single people are capable of taking, often in the context of a larger problem or collective effort.
When to use
Use this question when discussing social, environmental, or political issues and you want to explore what each person can contribute. It works well in debates, workshops, or casual conversations about personal responsibility.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WaskönnenEinzelnetun
Was (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' in a question; it stays unchanged regardless of case.
können (modal verb)
Present tense, 3rd person plural of 'können' meaning 'can/are able to'; matches the plural subject 'Einzelne'.
Einzelne (noun, plural, nominative)
Means 'individuals' or 'single persons'; used here as a plural noun in the nominative case as the subject.
tun (infinitive)
A general verb meaning 'to do'; follows a modal verb without 'zu'.
🗨In Conversation
Was können Einzelne tun, um den Plastikverbrauch zu reduzieren?
What can individuals do to reduce plastic consumption?
Man kann wiederverwendbare Flaschen benutzen, Lebensmittel unverpackt kaufen und an Aufklärungsaktionen teilnehmen.
One can use reusable bottles, buy unpackaged food, and take part in awareness campaigns.
✕Common Mistakes
Was können Einzelner tun?
The subject is plural, so the noun must stay in the plural form 'Einzelne'.
Was kann Einzelne tun?
Verb must agree with the plural subject; use 'können' not 'kann'.
Was können Einzelne zu tun?
After a modal verb, the infinitive appears without 'zu'.
↔Alternatives
Was kann man als Einzelperson tun?
What can one do as an individual?
Was lässt sich von Einzelnen machen?
What can be done by individuals?
Welche Maßnahmen können Einzelne ergreifen?
Which measures can individuals take?
Cultural Tip
In German, the word 'Einzelne' sounds formal and is often used in written or academic contexts. In everyday speech, Germans usually prefer the more neutral 'man' (one) or 'jeder' (everyone). Also, remember that modal verbs like 'können' never take 'zu' before the infinitive, unlike many other verbs.