kunne

Alternative forms

• kunde (obsolete)

Etymology

From Old Norse kunna, from Proto-Germanic *kunnaną, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃-.

Verb

kunne (imperative -, infinitive at kunne, present tense kan, past tense kunne, perfect tense har kunnet)

1. could, would, might, be able to, know

References

• “kunne” in Den Danske Ordbog

Etymology 1

From Old Dutch *kunni, from Proto-Germanic *kunją, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵenh₁- (“to produce”).

Etymology 2

Noun

kûnnē m (plural kunnuwā̀, possessed form kûnnen)

1. (anatomy) ear
2. (botany) leaf (of a plant)

Adverb

à kunne

1. in or on the ear

Etymology

Akin to Veps kuna.

Adverb

kunne

1. whither

Etymology

From Old Norse kunna, from Proto-Germanic *kunnaną, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃-.

Verb

kunne (present tense kan, simple past kunne, past participle kunnet)

1. can, could

   Jeg kan se deg.

   I can see you.

2. might

   Jeg kan komme, hvis jeg kan finne tid.

   I might come, if I can find the time.

3. can (be able to)

   Jeg kan spille fele.

   I can play the fiddle.

4. to know

   Jeg kan denne sangen.

   I know this song. (lit. I can do this song.)

References

• “kunne” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

Alternative forms

• kunna

Etymology

From Old Norse kunna, from Proto-Germanic *kunnaną, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃-. Akin to English can.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /²kʉnːə/
• Homophone: kunde (in some dialects)

Verb

kunne (present tense kan, past tense kunne, past participle kunna)

1. can, could

   Eg kan sjå deg.

   I can see you.

2. might

   Eg kan komma, om eg får tid.

   I might come, if I can find the time.

3. can (be able to)

   Eg kan spela fele.

   I can play the fiddle.

4. to know

   Eg kan denne songen.

   I know this song.

References

• “kunne” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.