can
/kæn/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈæn] /kæn/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈæn] /kən, ˈkan also ˈken; dialectal ˈkin/ (ame, mw)
can — 情態動詞
1. used to show that someone or something has the ability, knowledge, or physical p
能；會
有能力或會做某事
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.
Yuna 會自己修腳踏車，不用去找修車師傅。
can + base verb for learned skill
Christopher can smell smoke from the kitchen downstairs.
Christopher 在樓下就能聞到廚房飄來的煙味。
Our robot can sort the blue bottles by size.
我們的機器人能把藍色瓶子按大小分好。
Amani can read both Arabic and English menus easily.
Amani 會看阿拉伯文和英文菜單。
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.
行；我來
答應去做對方要求的事
a brisk reply promising that the speaker will handle the task.
"Need a ride to the airport?" "Can do after lunch."
「要載你去機場嗎？」「行，午飯後我來。」
fixed reply 'can do' for willing acceptance
"Can you print the tickets?" "Can do before noon."
「你能印票嗎？」「行，中午前我來處理。」
When the team needed extra chairs, Ziad said, "Can do."
團隊需要加椅子時，Ziad 說：「行，我來。」
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
不行；辦不到
表示不能做或不願答應
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."
「你今晚能晚點走嗎？」「抱歉，不行。」
fixed reply 'no can do' for refusal or impossibility
I asked for a Saturday slot, but the clinic said no can do.
我想約週六時段，但診所說辦不到。
Stephanie heard the price and said, "No can do for me."
Stephanie 聽到價格後說：「不行，這我不要。」
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.
獲准
因規定或他人同意而可以做
marks an action as allowed by rules, instructions, or another person's decision.
Can I park beside the school gate after six?
六點後我獲准把車停在校門旁嗎？
asking whether an action is permitted
Students can borrow three library books each week.
學生獲准每週借三本圖書館的書。
After the nurse checks your name, you can go in.
護士核對名字後，你就獲准進去。
Visitors can take photos here, but flash is banned.
訪客獲准在這裡拍照，但禁止開閃光燈。
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.
非得
生氣地命令某人去做
used in spoken English to tell someone sharply that they must do something.
Touch my laptop again and you can leave now.
再碰我的筆電，你就非得現在走人。
spoken threat or irritated command
If the boys keep shouting, they can clean the hall.
那些男孩要是一直大喊，他們就非得去打掃大廳。
Spill paint on the rug again and you can scrub it.
再把油漆灑到地毯上，你就非得自己刷乾淨。
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
請問
禮貌地提出請求或詢問許可
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?
請問你能把紅色資料夾遞給 Gabriela 嗎？
Can you ... ? for a polite request
Can I sit by the window during the trip?
請問旅途中我可以坐窗邊嗎？
Can you call the plumber before the shop closes?
請問你能在店關門前打電話給水電工嗎？
Can we use the back door after class?
請問下課後我們可以走後門嗎？
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
可能；可以
表示可能性、懷疑或建議
marks something as a real possibility, a doubtful guess, or a practical suggestion.
A strong wind can break these old windows.
強風可能會打破這些舊窗戶。
can for possibility or general tendency
This bus can get crowded after the football match.
這班公車在球賽後可能會很擠。
Can this be the wrong address on the parcel?
這會不會是包裹上寫錯的地址？
We can try the side entrance if the front door is locked.
如果前門鎖住了，我們可以試試側門。
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.
幫忙
主動提出願意幫對方
used in a polite question when you offer to help someone.
Can I carry those boxes into the kitchen?
要我幫忙把那些箱子搬進廚房嗎？
Can I ... ? as an offer of help
Can I get you a glass of water?
要我幫忙倒一杯水給你嗎？
The receptionist smiled and asked, "Can I help?"
接待員微笑著問：「要幫忙嗎？」
用法筆記
Usually said by the person who is offering help, often with 'Can I...?' before naming the helpful action.
can — 名詞
- cansingular
- cansplural
1. a sealed metal container that food or drink is sold in.
罐頭；鐵罐
裝食物或飲料的密封金屬罐
a sealed metal container that food or drink is sold in.
Hoa opened a can of peaches for the picnic.
Hoa 為野餐打開了一罐桃子罐頭。
a can of + food or drink
The soup aisle has cans stacked by flavour.
湯品那一排把各種鐵罐按口味堆好了。
The recycling box was full of empty cola cans.
回收箱裡裝滿了空的可樂鐵罐。
Canned tomatoes come in a bright red can.
番茄罐頭是裝在鮮紅色的鐵罐裡賣的。
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.
一罐量
一個罐子裡所裝的分量
the amount that fills one can.
This pasta sauce needs a can of chopped tomatoes.
這個義大利麵醬需要一罐量的碎番茄。
can used as a measure in cooking
We shared one can of cola between three children.
我們三個小孩分喝了一罐量的可樂。
Add two cans of beans before the rice cooks.
飯還沒煮好前，先加兩罐量的豆子。
The baker used half a can of coconut milk.
那位烘焙師用了半罐量的椰奶。
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
壺；噴罐
裝或噴液體用的容器
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.
Ziad 在檸檬樹旁把澆水壺裝滿了。
watering can / paint can / spray can
The blue spray can leaked onto the garage floor.
藍色噴罐漏得到處都是車庫地板。
Dad left the paint can open near the ladder.
爸爸把油漆壺開著放在梯子旁。
Gabriela shook the fuel can before starting the mower.
Gabriela 在發動割草機前先搖了搖燃料壺。
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.
耳機
非正式指罩耳式耳機
headphones, especially large ones worn over the ears.
Christopher put on his cans before the train arrived.
Christopher 在火車進站前先戴上耳機。
usually plural informal 'cans'
The DJ forgot his cans on top of the mixer.
那位 DJ 把耳機忘在混音器上面了。
Romi borrowed studio cans to check the final track.
Romi 借了錄音室耳機來檢查最後的音軌。
用法筆記
Almost always plural ('cans') and informal, especially in music or studio talk.
5. prison or jail.
監獄
非正式說法，指牢裡
prison or jail.
The judge sent the gang leader to the can.
法官把那名幫派頭目送進監獄。
informal phrase for prison
After the robbery, Ziad spent six months in the can.
那場搶案後，Ziad 在監獄裡待了六個月。
Old newspapers said the boxer had been in the can.
舊報紙說那位拳擊手以前蹲過監獄。
用法筆記
Strongly informal and often appears in the phrase 'in the can'.
6. the toilet or toilet room.
廁所
很口語地指洗手間
the toilet or toilet room.
Hold my bag while I run to the can.
我跑去廁所時，幫我拿一下包包。
informal name for the toilet
The drummer rushed off because the can was occupied.
那位鼓手急著跑開，因為廁所有人。
Ask the waiter where the can is downstairs.
去問服務生樓下的廁所在哪裡。
用法筆記
Very informal and usually used in casual speech, not in polite situations.
can — 動詞
1. to seal food in tins or jars so it keeps for later use.
裝罐；罐藏
把食物密封保存起來
to seal food in tins or jars so it keeps for later use.
Every August, Gabriela cans tomatoes from her backyard garden.
每年八月，Gabriela 都會把後院番茄裝罐保存。
can + food for preserving it
The factory cans sardines before loading the trucks.
工廠把沙丁魚裝罐後才裝上卡車。
Élise learned to can peaches with her grandmother.
Élise 跟著祖母學會了怎麼罐藏桃子。
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.
閉嘴；停下
粗魯地要人別吵或別做了
to cut off noise or action at once, often in an annoyed command.
Can it, Hoa, the baby's finally asleep upstairs.
閉嘴，Hoa，樓上的寶寶好不容易睡著了。
fixed command 'Can it!' meaning be quiet
The coach yelled, "Can it!" when the bench mocked the referee.
板凳席取笑裁判時，教練大吼：「閉嘴！」
Romi whispered, "Can it for a minute and listen."
Romi 低聲說：「先停下，聽一下。」
用法筆記
Mostly heard as the command 'Can it!' in annoyed speech.
3. to dismiss someone from a job.
開除；炒魷
非正式地指把人辭退
to dismiss someone from a job.
The company canned two managers after the bribery report.
那家公司在賄賂報告曝光後開除了兩名經理。
informal verb meaning dismiss from employment
Our editor got canned when sales kept falling.
銷量一直下滑時，我們的編輯被炒魷了。
The owner threatened to can the driver for lateness.
老闆威脅說再遲到就要開除那名司機。
用法筆記
Informal and often used about bosses or companies rather than formal HR language.