Can是英语中的多功能词汇，具有情态动词与名词双重词性，发音为英[kæn; kən]、美[kæn; kən]。其词源可追溯至古英语“cunnan”，原意为“知道、有能力”。

英 [kæn; kən] 美 [kæn; kən]

v. （表示有能力做或能够发生）能，会；（表示可能性）可以，能；（用于请求）能，可以；（表示允许）可以；应该（表示某事该做或不该做）；（用于礼貌地提出帮忙）可以，能；把食品装罐保存；<美，非正式>解雇，开除；<美，非正式>停止，结束（某事）

n. 罐，听；（装液体、垃圾等带盖的）金属容器，塑料容器；<美，非正式>监狱；<美，非正式>厕所；臀部；驱逐舰；破坏者

【名】 （Can）（美）卡恩（人名）

[ 复数 cans 第三人称单数 can或cans 现在分词 canning 过去式 could或canned 过去分词 canned ]

柯林斯英汉双解大词典

1. MODAL USES

2. CONTAINER

MODAL USES

can /kən, kæn/

1.MODAL You use can when you are mentioning a quality or fact about something which people may make use of if they want to. 可以

2.MODAL You use can to indicate that someone has the ability or opportunity to do something. 能够; 会

3.MODAL You use cannot to indicate that someone is not able to do something because circumstances make it impossible for them to do it. 无法

4.MODAL You use can to indicate that something is true sometimes or is true in some circumstances. 可能

5.MODAL You use cannot and can't to state that you are certain that something is not the case or will not happen. 不可能; 不会

6.MODAL You use can to indicate that someone is allowed to do something. You use cannot or can't to indicate that someone is not allowed to do something. 可以

7.MODAL You use cannot or can't when you think it is very important that something should not happen or that someone should not do something. 不应该 [强调]

8.MODAL You use can, usually in questions, in order to make suggestions or to offer to do something. 可以; 能 (用于表示建议或给予)

9.MODAL You use can in questions in order to make polite requests. You use can't in questions in order to request strongly that someone does something. 可以; 能 (用于表示请求) [礼貌]

10.MODAL You use can as a polite way of interrupting someone or of introducing what you are going to say next. 可不可以 (打断谈话或插嘴时) [正式，口语]

can be 可能；可以是

we can 我们可以

can do 能做到；做得到

how can 怎么能够；哪能；怎会

can only 只得

can tell 能感觉到；能看出来

how can i 我岂能…；我怎么能…

can afford 买得起；有能力负担

can you help me 你能帮我吗

as you can see 正如你所看到的；你是知道的

oil can 油壶；加油器

can not help 禁不住，忍不住；情不自禁

yes we can 是的，我们可以（奥巴马竞选口号）

gas can 汽油桶，汽油罐；煤气罐

what can you see 你能看见什么

cannot but 不得不，禁不住

fiber can 棉条桶；纸板桶；纤维罐；纤维板桶

can do with 需要，希望得到；能对付，将就

in the can [美俚]电影杀青

can not but 不得不