How do you use "Can Do" in a sentence?

Can you have that report ready by Friday?' 'Can do. We need someone to cover the shift.' 'Can do. She has a real can-do attitude. Can do—I'll get right on it.

Can Do

Q: What does "Can Do" mean?

Yes, I can do that; affirmative Efficient confirmation that you can and will do something. Military origin gives it a no-nonsense, action-oriented tone.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Yes, I can do that; affirmative

可以，我能做到；肯定的

Sí, puedo hacerlo; afirmativo

できます；了解

할 수 있어요; 알겠습니다

Efficient confirmation that you can and will do something. Military origin gives it a no-nonsense, action-oriented tone.

高效地确认你能够并愿意做某事。军事起源赋予它一种直截了当、注重行动的语调。

Confirmación eficiente de que puedes y harás algo. El origen militar le da un tono directo y orientado a la acción.

何かができて、やるつもりであることを効率的に確認する。軍隊起源が率直で行動志向のトーンを与える。

무언가를 할 수 있고 하겠다는 간결한 확인 표현. 군대에서 유래하여 군더더기 없는 행동 지향적 어감이 있다.

Examples

Can you have that report ready by Friday?' 'Can do.
周五之前能把报告准备好吗？' '没问题。
¿Puedes tener ese informe listo para el viernes?' 'Hecho.
金曜までにそのレポート準備できる？' '了解。
금요일까지 그 보고서 준비할 수 있어?' '할 수 있어.
We need someone to cover the shift.' 'Can do.
需要有人顶班。' '没问题。
Necesitamos a alguien que cubra el turno.' 'Yo puedo.
シフトをカバーしてくれる人が必要なんだ。' 'できます。
교대 근무 대신할 사람이 필요해.' '할 수 있어.
She has a real can-do attitude.
她真的很有干劲。
Ella tiene una actitud muy positiva.
彼女は本当に積極的な姿勢だよね。
그녀는 정말 적극적인 태도를 가지고 있어.
Can do—I'll get right on it.
没问题——我马上就做。
Hecho—me pongo a ello ahora mismo.
了解——すぐ取り掛かります。
알겠어——바로 시작할게.

Pronunciation

/kæn duː/

Usage Guide

Context: work, agreements, can-do attitude

Tone: efficient, positive

✓ Do Say

Can do.
没问题。
Hecho.
了解。
알겠어.
Can do!
没问题！
¡Hecho!
了解！
할 수 있어!
She's very can-do.
她很有干劲。
Ella es muy positiva.
彼女は積極的だね。
그녀는 적극적이야.

✗ Don't Say

Efficient but informal
高效但非正式
Eficiente pero informal
効率的だがインフォーマル
간결하지만 비격식적인 표현
Military/business tone
军事/商业语调
Tono militar/empresarial
軍隊・ビジネス的なトーン
군대/비즈니스 어감

Common Mistakes

'Can-do attitude' means positive, action-oriented
American business/military tone

Origin & History

American military slang where efficient communication was valued. 'Can do' confirms ability and willingness in two words.

Etymology: Short for 'I can do that'

First recorded: American military slang, early-mid 20th century

Cultural Context

Era: Early-mid 20th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal, business associations

Pop culture: American can-do spirit; Military and business contexts

Regional notes: American origin. Used in British business contexts.

Variations

Can doCan do!Can-do attitude