How do you use "can" in a sentence?

She can speak three languages fluently. Can I borrow your pen? It can be difficult to find parking here.

can

Q: What does "can" mean?

To be able to; to have permission to 'Can' is a modal verb expressing ability ('I can swim'), permission ('can I leave?'), and possibility ('it can get very cold'). In British English, 'can' is commonly used for permission in informal contexts, though 'may' is traditionally considered more correct. As a noun, 'can' refers to a metal container.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To be able to; to have permission to

能，可以，会

poder, saber

〜できる、〜してもよい

~할 수 있다, ~해도 된다

'Can' is a modal verb expressing ability ('I can swim'), permission ('can I leave?'), and possibility ('it can get very cold'). In British English, 'can' is commonly used for permission in informal contexts, though 'may' is traditionally considered more correct. As a noun, 'can' refers to a metal container.

「can」是表示能力（「I can swim」）、许可（「can I leave?」）和可能性（「it can get very cold」）的情态动词。在英式英语中，「can」在非正式语境中常用于表示许可，尽管「may」传统上被认为更正确。作为名词，「can」指金属容器。

«Can» es un verbo modal que expresa habilidad («I can swim»), permiso («can I leave?») y posibilidad («it can get very cold»). En inglés británico, «can» se usa comúnmente para permiso en contextos informales, aunque «may» se considera tradicionalmente más correcto. Como sustantivo, «can» se refiere a un recipiente de metal.

「can」は能力（「I can swim」）、許可（「can I leave?」）、可能性（「it can get very cold」）を表す法助動詞です。イギリス英語では、カジュアルな場面で許可を求めるのに「can」がよく使われますが、「may」の方が伝統的に正しいとされています。名詞として、「can」は金属製の容器を指します。

'can'은 능력('수영할 수 있다'), 허가('나가도 될까요?'), 가능성('매우 추울 수 있다')을 나타내는 조동사입니다. 영국 영어에서 'can'은 비격식적 상황에서 허가를 나타내는 데 흔히 쓰이지만, 전통적으로는 'may'가 더 올바른 표현으로 여겨집니다. 명사로는 금속 용기(깡통)를 뜻합니다.

Examples

She can speak three languages fluently.
她能流利地说三种语言。
Puede hablar tres idiomas con fluidez.
彼女は3カ国語を流暢に話せます。
그녀는 3개 국어를 유창하게 할 수 있습니다.
Can I borrow your pen?
我可以借用你的笔吗？
¿Puedo tomar prestado tu bolígrafo?
ペンを借りてもいいですか？
펜 좀 빌려도 될까요?
It can be difficult to find parking here.
这里可能很难找到停车位。
Puede ser difícil encontrar aparcamiento aquí.
ここでは駐車場を見つけるのが難しいことがあります。
여기서는 주차 공간을 찾기 어려울 수 있습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old English 'cunnan', meaning 'to know' or 'to know how to', from Proto-Germanic *kunnaną. Originally a verb of knowledge (compare 'canny', 'cunning'); its sense shifted to ability during Middle English.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

can

Examples

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Origin & History

Cultural Context

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