Also "It might have been so".
2007-09-08 03:18:55 · 7 answers · asked by DGJ 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
In colloquial German usually the present tense is used for the negative: "Das kann nicht sein", even when talking about the past. It is a general expression of disbelief, not necessarily in the veracity of the person who told you something. The alternative is: "So kann's nicht gewesen sein.", but that's as good as saying "You are lying"
For your second sentence the subjunctive is used: "Das könnte sein."
"So könnte es gewesen sein" still expresses doubt about the truth of the report.
Both the first versions imply mistake or "honest" error on the part of the source, the latter ones imply deceit.
2007-09-08 05:32:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Es couls, es nicht so gewesen zu sein konnte so gewesen sein
2007-09-08 05:24:19 · answer #2 · answered by Bemo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
So kann es nicht gewesen sein.
So kann es gewesen sein.
2007-09-08 03:24:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Es konnte nicht so sein
es konnte vielleicht so sein
2007-09-08 03:42:32 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Es könnte nicht so gewesen sein. Es konnte so gewesen sein.
2007-09-08 03:24:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
DGJ go to altavista.com and you will see babel fish translation. It will teach you how to say anything.
2007-09-08 04:01:55 · answer #6 · answered by bobsee8 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
nice try...it is against the tos to post in other languages why don't you try Babelfish or IM Translator
2007-09-08 03:26:09 · answer #7 · answered by TfourL 3 · 1⤊ 7⤋