can
modal verb ukstrong /kæn/ weak /kən/ usstrong /kæn/ weak /kən/
(ABILITY)
A1 能，会
to be able to
Can you drive? 你会开车吗？
She can speak four languages. 她会讲4门语言。
Can you read that sign from this distance? 你从这么远的距离能看清楚那标牌上的东西吗？
The doctors are doing all that they can, but she's still not breathing properly. 医生们在竭尽所能，可是她仍然不能正常呼吸。
Do the best you can - I realize the circumstances are not ideal. 尽力而为吧——我知道情况不理想。
If the party is awful, we can always leave (= that would be one possible solution to our problem). 如果聚会很糟，我们总还可以离开。
"She's really furious about it." "Can you blame her (= I'm not surprised)?" “她对此确实很生气。”“你能怪她吗？”
can do US informal 可以，行，好
used to say that you can and will do something
"Will you mail this letter for me, please?" "Can do." “请你帮我把这封信寄了，好吗？”“行。”
"I need you to pick up the kids today." "Sorry, no can do (= no I can't)." “今天我需要你去接孩子。”“抱歉，不行。”
"Could you give these to Paola, please?" "Can do."
She shook her head. "Sorry, no can do."
I asked for an earlier appointment but no can do.
- More examples
- I don't know how he can afford a new car on his salary.
- Cats can see in the dark.
- The water's not deep here - look, I can touch the bottom.
- I doubt whether I can finish the work on time.
- Computers can perform millions of calculations every second.
(PERMISSION)
A1 （表示许可）可以，能
to be allowed to
Can I use your bike, John? 约翰，我能用你的自行车吗？
You can park over there. 你们可以把车停在那边。
You can have a piece of cake after you've eaten your vegetables! 吃完蔬菜你就可以吃块蛋糕！
informal（生气地命令某人）必须，得
sometimes used to tell someone angrily to do something
If you carry on being horrible to your sister, Sophie, you can just go to bed! 索菲，如果你对你妹妹还这么凶，就上床睡觉去！
- More examples
- If you finish early you can go home.
- She can come whenever she likes, as far as I'm concerned.
- Finish up your dinner and you can have dessert.
- How early can you get off this afternoon?
- Anyone can go - you don't have to be invited.
(REQUEST)
A1 （用于请求）能，可以
used to request something
If you see Brett, can you tell him I'm in town next weekend? 如果你见到布雷特，能告诉他我下周末在伦敦吗？
Can you make a little less noise, please? I'm trying to work. 请你别发出那么大声音好吗？我正在工作。
- More examples
- I can't get the cork out of the bottle - can you try?
- Excuse me, can I just get past?
- It's freezing in here - can I close the window?
- Please can I have a go on your bike?
- Andrew, can you help me install this software?
(POSSIBILITY)
A2 （表示可能性）可以，能，会
used to express possibility
You can get stamps from the local newsagents. 你可以在当地的报刊销售店买到邮票。
You can get very nasty skin diseases from bathing in dirty water. 在脏水里洗澡会得严重的皮肤病。
Smoking can cause cancer. 吸烟可能会导致癌症。
Noise can be quite a problem when you're living in a flat. 住公寓噪音会很成问题。
He can be really annoying at times (= he is sometimes very annoying). 有时候他很烦人。
- More examples
- Couples who are childless can feel excluded from the rest of society.
- Children can choke on peanuts.
- Clearance of a cheque can take up to a week.
- You can get travel concessions if you are under 26.
- Not making a will can have serious consequences for the people you might wish to benefit.
(OFFER)
A1 （用于礼貌地提出帮忙）可以，能
used in polite offers of help
Can I help you with those bags? 我帮您拎那些包好吗？
I'm afraid Ms Ferguson has already left the office. Can I be of any help? 恐怕弗格森女士已经离开办公室了。我能帮什么忙吗？
- More examples
- Is there anything I can do to help?
- You can go instead of me, if you want.
- You look lost - can I help you?
- What a lot of bags! Can I carry something for you?
- "If you like I can do some shopping for you." "That's a very kind offer."