- Dictionary
can
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., avoir, être).
a. pouvoir
If you like, you can have the salad with the dressing on the side.Si vous le souhaitez, vous pouvez prendre la salade avec la vinaigrette à part.
a. pouvoir
Is there anything we can do? - No, thank you. I'll manage on my own.Nous pouvons faire quelque chose ? - Non, merci. Je vais me débrouiller seul.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I can't hear if they're calling our flight or not.Je n’entends pas s’ils appellent notre vol ou non.
We can’t see anything because the light is so bright.On ne voit rien tant la lumière est forte.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Shiloh can't be serious, can he?Shiloh n'est pas sérieux, si ?
This can't be right!Ce n'est pas possible !
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., acheter).
a. mettre en conserve
Maeve cans vegetables every fall.Maeve met des légumes en conserve chaque automne.
b. mettre en boîte
We have so many tomatoes this year that we're going to try to can some.Nous avons tellement de tomates cette année que nous allons essayer d'en mettre en boîte.
9. (colloquial) (to fire)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. virer (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
My boss canned me for reading comics at work.Mon patron m'a viré parce que je lisais des bandes dessinées au travail.
A noun is a word that refers to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., femme, chat, maison).
a. la boîte de conserve (F) (food)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
The shelf at the back of the store is filled with cans.Le rayon au fond du magasin est rempli de boîtes de conserve.
c. la canette (F) (drink)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
One can of soda has about 140 calories.Une canette de soda contient environ 140 calories.
d. le bidon (M) (liquid)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
My grandfather keeps a full gas can in his garage, just in case.Mon grand-père garde un bidon d'essence plein dans son garage, au cas où.
11. (colloquial) (prison)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. la taule (F) (colloquial)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
They met when Mick was in the can.Ils se sont rencontrés quand Mick était en taule.
12. (colloquial) (buttocks) (Canada) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Canada.
Regionalism used in the United States.
a. les fesses (F)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
Rob fell right on his can.Rob est tombé sur les fesses.
13. (colloquial) (toilet) (Canada) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Canada.
Regionalism used in the United States.
a. les chiottes (F) (colloquial)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. French nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la dame or la lune) or masculine (like l'homme or le soleil).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
I'm going to hit the can before we leave.Je vais passer aux chiottes avant de partir.
Conjugations
Indicative of "can"
Collins English Verb Conjugation Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2023
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