The idea
With geben, the person is dative and the thing accusative. A pronoun usually comes before a full noun: “dir den Schlüssel”, but “ihn dir” when both are pronouns. “Entgegennehmen” (to receive in person) is separable; with a modal it stays whole at the end. “Erreichbar sein” means to be reachable or available. “Sich treffen” is reflexive, and the time usually comes before the place: “Sonntagmittag im Treppenhaus”.
Other ways to say it
“Passt es dir, wenn ich den Schlüssel heute Abend vorbeibringe?” – Friendly offer to bring it round; asks about convenience.
“Ich werfe dir den Schlüssel nicht in den Briefkasten, sondern gebe ihn dir lieber direkt.” – Explains why you want a personal handover.
Examples
- Wann kann ich dir den Ersatzschlüssel geben?When can I give you the spare key?
- Ich bin heute ab sechs erreichbar.You can reach me from six today.
- Kannst du ihn persönlich entgegennehmen?Can you receive it in person?
- Ja, klingel dann bitte bei mir.Yes, please ring my bell then.
- Ich brauche ihn am Sonntag zurück.I need it back on Sunday.
- Wir treffen uns Sonntagmittag im Treppenhaus.We will meet on Sunday at noon in the stairwell.
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Watch out
“Kannst du ihn persönlich nehmen entgegen?” → “Kannst du ihn persönlich entgegennehmen?”: With a modal verb, a separable verb stays in one piece as an infinitive at the end. It only splits when it is the conjugated verb itself.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: When can I give you the spare key?
Show answer or example answer
Wann kann ich dir den Ersatzschlüssel geben?
“Wann” is followed by the modal “kann”; the dative “dir” precedes the accusative “den Ersatzschlüssel”, and “geben” ends the question.
Put the words in order: du / entgegennehmen / ihn / Kannst / persönlich
Show answer or example answer
Kannst du ihn persönlich entgegennehmen?
The pronoun “ihn” (the key) sits right after the subject “du”; “persönlich” describes how, and “entgegennehmen” stays whole at the end.
Write this sentence in German: We will meet on Sunday at noon in the stairwell.
Show answer or example answer
Wir treffen uns Sonntagmittag im Treppenhaus.
“Wir treffen uns” is reflexive; time “Sonntagmittag” precedes place “im Treppenhaus”, following the usual time-before-place order.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: When can I give you the spare key?
Wann kann ich dir den Ersatzschlüssel geben?
Put the words in order: du / entgegennehmen / ihn / Kannst / persönlich
Kannst du ihn persönlich entgegennehmen?
Write this sentence in German: We will meet on Sunday at noon in the stairwell.
Wir treffen uns Sonntagmittag im Treppenhaus.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Text a neighbour to arrange a spare-key handover: suggest a time, a place in the building and the day you need the key back.