can
/kæn/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈæn] /kæn/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈæn] /kən, ˈkan also ˈken; dialectal ˈkin/ (ame, mw)
can — modal verb
1. used to show that someone or something has the ability, knowledge, or physical p
used to show that someone or something has the ability, knowledge, or physical power to do something.
Yuna can fix her bike without asking the mechanic.
can + base verb for learned skill
Christopher can smell smoke from the kitchen downstairs.
Our robot can sort the blue bottles by size.
Amani can read both Arabic and English menus easily.
用法筆記
Followed by a base verb and often used for skill, physical ability, or what the senses let you notice. Distinguish from sense 7, which is about what may happen or be true rather than what the subject is able to do.
2. a brisk reply promising that the speaker will handle the task.
a brisk reply promising that the speaker will handle the task.
"Need a ride to the airport?" "Can do after lunch."
fixed reply 'can do' for willing acceptance
"Can you print the tickets?" "Can do before noon."
When the team needed extra chairs, Ziad said, "Can do."
用法筆記
Most often appears as the set phrase 'can do' after a request, promising action instead of describing ability.
3. used in an informal reply to say that something cannot be done or will not be ag
used in an informal reply to say that something cannot be done or will not be agreed to.
"Can you stay later tonight?" "Sorry, no can do."
fixed reply 'no can do' for refusal or impossibility
I asked for a Saturday slot, but the clinic said no can do.
Stephanie heard the price and said, "No can do for me."
用法筆記
Mainly fixed in the reply 'no can do', often sounding informal or slightly playful. Distinguish from sense 2, which accepts the request rather than refusing it.
4. marks an action as allowed by rules, instructions, or another person's decision.
marks an action as allowed by rules, instructions, or another person's decision.
Can I park beside the school gate after six?
asking whether an action is permitted
Students can borrow three library books each week.
After the nurse checks your name, you can go in.
Visitors can take photos here, but flash is banned.
用法筆記
This sense is about permission from rules, staff, or another person. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about ability, not permission.
5. used in spoken English to tell someone sharply that they must do something.
used in spoken English to tell someone sharply that they must do something.
Touch my laptop again and you can leave now.
spoken threat or irritated command
If the boys keep shouting, they can clean the hall.
Spill paint on the rug again and you can scrub it.
用法筆記
Spoken and usually irritated; the speaker is not giving free permission but ordering the listener to act at once.
6. used in questions to ask permission or to ask someone to do something in a polit
used in questions to ask permission or to ask someone to do something in a polite way.
Can you pass the red folder to Gabriela?
Can you ... ? for a polite request
Can I sit by the window during the trip?
Can you call the plumber before the shop closes?
Can we use the back door after class?
用法筆記
Common in polite spoken questions. Unlike sense 4, the focus is the act of asking, not the permission itself.
7. marks something as a real possibility, a doubtful guess, or a practical suggesti
marks something as a real possibility, a doubtful guess, or a practical suggestion.
A strong wind can break these old windows.
can for possibility or general tendency
This bus can get crowded after the football match.
Can this be the wrong address on the parcel?
We can try the side entrance if the front door is locked.
用法筆記
This sense covers possibility, doubt, general tendency, and practical suggestions. Distinguish from sense 1 because the subject may not control the situation.
8. used in a polite question when you offer to help someone.
used in a polite question when you offer to help someone.
Can I carry those boxes into the kitchen?
Can I ... ? as an offer of help
Can I get you a glass of water?
The receptionist smiled and asked, "Can I help?"
用法筆記
Usually said by the person who is offering help, often with 'Can I...?' before naming the helpful action.
can — noun
- cansingular
- cansplural
1. a sealed metal container that food or drink is sold in.
a sealed metal container that food or drink is sold in.
Hoa opened a can of peaches for the picnic.
a can of + food or drink
The soup aisle has cans stacked by flavour.
The recycling box was full of empty cola cans.
Canned tomatoes come in a bright red can.
用法筆記
Usually for the sealed package sold with food or drink already inside. Distinguish from sense 3, which covers open-top cans, watering cans, and spray cans.
2. the amount that fills one can.
the amount that fills one can.
This pasta sauce needs a can of chopped tomatoes.
can used as a measure in cooking
We shared one can of cola between three children.
Add two cans of beans before the rice cooks.
The baker used half a can of coconut milk.
用法筆記
Common in recipes and shopping lists, where the word refers to the amount inside the container rather than the container itself.
3. a container used to hold, carry, or spray liquid, especially one made of metal o
a container used to hold, carry, or spray liquid, especially one made of metal or plastic.
Ziad filled the watering can beside the lemon tree.
watering can / paint can / spray can
The blue spray can leaked onto the garage floor.
Dad left the paint can open near the ladder.
Gabriela shook the fuel can before starting the mower.
用法筆記
Covers containers you fill or carry, plus pressurized spray cans. Distinguish from sense 1, where the can arrives sealed and ready for sale.
4. headphones, especially large ones worn over the ears.
headphones, especially large ones worn over the ears.
Christopher put on his cans before the train arrived.
usually plural informal 'cans'
The DJ forgot his cans on top of the mixer.
Romi borrowed studio cans to check the final track.
用法筆記
Almost always plural ('cans') and informal, especially in music or studio talk.
5. prison or jail.
prison or jail.
The judge sent the gang leader to the can.
informal phrase for prison
After the robbery, Ziad spent six months in the can.
Old newspapers said the boxer had been in the can.
用法筆記
Strongly informal and often appears in the phrase 'in the can'.
6. the toilet or toilet room.
the toilet or toilet room.
Hold my bag while I run to the can.
informal name for the toilet
The drummer rushed off because the can was occupied.
Ask the waiter where the can is downstairs.
用法筆記
Very informal and usually used in casual speech, not in polite situations.
can — verb
1. to seal food in tins or jars so it keeps for later use.
to seal food in tins or jars so it keeps for later use.
Every August, Gabriela cans tomatoes from her backyard garden.
can + food for preserving it
The factory cans sardines before loading the trucks.
Élise learned to can peaches with her grandmother.
用法筆記
Usually about fruit, vegetables, fish, or sauces prepared for storage rather than immediate eating.
2. to cut off noise or action at once, often in an annoyed command.
to cut off noise or action at once, often in an annoyed command.
Can it, Hoa, the baby's finally asleep upstairs.
fixed command 'Can it!' meaning be quiet
The coach yelled, "Can it!" when the bench mocked the referee.
Romi whispered, "Can it for a minute and listen."
用法筆記
Mostly heard as the command 'Can it!' in annoyed speech.
3. to dismiss someone from a job.
to dismiss someone from a job.
The company canned two managers after the bribery report.
informal verb meaning dismiss from employment
Our editor got canned when sales kept falling.
The owner threatened to can the driver for lateness.
用法筆記
Informal and often used about bosses or companies rather than formal HR language.