Can (en. Can)

/kæn/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish

noun

Metal container, commonly with a lid, used to store food or drinks.

I opened a can of tomatoes to make the sauce.

Abrí una lata de tomates para preparar la salsa.

Soda can, usually made of aluminum.

I bought a can of soda at the supermarket.

Me compré una lata de soda en el supermercado.

verb

To express the ability to do something.

I can finish my homework before dinner.

Puedo terminar mi tarea antes de la cena.

To request permission.

Can I use your phone for a moment?

¿Puedo usar tu teléfono un momento?

From Old English 'canne' which refers to a container.

to give someone a can

To bother or inconvenience someone.

darle a alguien una lata

there is no can that can contain it

It refers to something that cannot be contained or limited.

no hay lata que lo contenga

to be a pain

To be someone boring or annoying.

ser un lata

can

Cylindrical container that usually holds food.

lata

preserve

Food packed in a container, usually a can.

conserva

To use a colloquial term to refer to a can of beer.

Let's have a few cans tonight.

Vamos a tomar unas cans esta noche.

To refer to doing something that requires effort or skill.

That trick he did in the dance, anyone can do that!

Ese truco que hizo en la danza, ¡eso lo puede hacer cualquiera!