Compound Forms:
can | can't | cant |
| all you can do n | (your only recourse) | lo único que puedes hacer expr |
| | | lo único que sabes hacer expr |
| | | lo único que haces expr |
| | When something bad happens, all you can do is make the best of it. |
| | Cuando pasa algo malo lo único que puedes hacer es tratar de sacar lo mejor de la situación. |
| all you can do n | (everything you are capable of) | lo único que haces expr |
| | | lo único que puedes hacer expr |
| | All you can do is whine; you never fix your problems. |
| | Lo único que haces es quejarte; nunca solucionas tus problemas. |
| all-you-can-eat adj | (restaurant buffet: unlimited) | bufet libre, bufé libre, buffet libre nm + adj mf |
| | | bufet, buffet, bufé nm |
| | | buffet ilimitado nm + adj |
| | (AR) | tenedor libre loc nom m |
| | At the all-you-can-eat restaurant he stuffed himself with cheap food. |
| | Se llenó de comida barata en el bufet libre. |
| as best you can adv | (to the best of your ability) | lo mejor que puedas loc adv |
| | Muddle through as best you can, and we'll fix the mistakes later. |
| | Hazlo lo mejor que puedas, si cometes errores los arreglaremos después. |
as can be,
as ... as can be expr | (perfectly, extremely) | muy adv |
| | (informal) | -ísimo sufijo |
| | | sumamente, extremadamente adv |
| | My sister's new baby is cute as can be. |
| | The children were excited as could be when their dad arrived home with a puppy. |
| as far as I can remember expr | (according to my memory) | que yo me acuerde, que yo recuerde expr |
| | | según lo que recuerdo expr |
| beer can n | (can holding beer) | lata de cerveza nf + loc adj |
| | When the police arrested him for drunken driving, they found empty beer cans in his car. |
| | Cuando la policía lo arrestó por conducir ebrio, encontraron latas de cerveza vacías en su coche. |
| beggars can't be choosers expr | informal (when in need, take what's offered) | cuando hay hambre no hay pan duro, a buen hambre no hay pan duro expr |
| | | en tiempos de guerra todo agujero hace trinchera expr |
| | | a caballo regalado no se le miran los dientes expr |
| bite off more than you can chew v expr | figurative, informal (accept an overly ambitious task) | el que mucho abarca poco aprieta expr |
| | Gabriella thought she would enjoy being team leader, but she may have bitten off more than she can chew. |
| but what can you do? expr | informal (expressing resignation) | ¿qué se le va a hacer? expr |
| | The workers may object, but what can you do; the project has to be done on time. |
| | Los trabajadores protestarán, ¿pero qué se le va a hacer? El trabajo se tiene que entregar a tiempo. |
| can but v expr | dated (can do nothing except) | solo adv |
| | | solamente adv |
| can hardly wait v expr | (feel impatient, excited) | apenas poder esperar expr |
| | I can hardly wait for my birthday! This has been such a rotten day, I can hardly wait for it to be over. |
| | ¡Apenas puedo esperar a que sea mi cumpleaños! Este ha sido un día tan podrido, apenas puedo esperar a que se termine. |
| can of worms n | figurative, informal ([sth] controversial, problematic) | problema nm |
| | | situación complicada nf + adj |
| | (coloquial) | situación peliaguda nf + adj |
| | So, George is having an affair, and it's with his wife's colleague? That really is a can of worms. |
| | ¿Entonces George tiene una aventura con la colega de su mujer? ¡Vaya problema! |
can opener (US),
tin opener (UK) n | (gadget for opening tin cans) | abrelatas nm inv |
| | | abridor nm |
| | How will I pour the condensed milk if I can't find a can opener? My mum has a special tin opener for people with arthritic hands. |
| | ¿Cómo voy a usar la leche condensada si no encuentro un abrelatas? |
| can't stand [sth/sb] v expr | informal (find intolerable) | no aguantar, no soportar loc verb |
| | | no tolerar loc verb |
| | (coloquial) | no tragar, no pasar loc verb |
| | (AR, UY: coloquial) | no bancarse loc verb |
| | I can't stand my overbearing, demanding boss. |
| | No soporto a mi jefe, que es autoritario y exigente. |
| can stand [sth/sb] v expr | (be able to tolerate) | poder tolerar loc verb |
| | | poder soportar loc verb |
| | | poder aguantar loc verb |
| | I hope that noise stops soon - I don't think I can stand it much longer! |
| | Espero que ese ruido termine pronto. No creo que pueda tolerarlo mucho más tiempo. |
can stand doing [sth],
also US: can stand to do [sth] v expr | (be able to tolerate) | poder soportar, poder tolerar loc verb |
| | (coloquial) | poder aguantar loc verb |
| Note: Often used in negative sentences. |
| | If you can stand to wait another 10 minutes, I'll walk you home. |
| | I can't stand seeing you so unhappy. |
| | Si puedes soportar esperar otros diez minutos, te acompaño a tu casa. |
| can-do attitude n | (positive attitude) (en general "buena voluntad") | voluntad nf |
| | (con ganas (en plural)) | ganas nfpl |
| can-do spirit n | (enthusiasm) | entusiasta n común |
| | | optimista n común |
| can't be arsed v expr | vulgar, informal, UK (unwilling to make effort) (coloquial) | no darle a alguien la gana loc verb + prep |
| | | no apetecerle a alguien loc verb + prep |
| can't be arsed to do [sth] v expr | vulgar, informal, UK (unwilling to make effort) (coloquial) | no darle a alguien la gana de hacer algo loc verb + prep |
| | | no apetecerle a alguien hacer algo loc verb + prep |
| | I've lost the remote control and I can't be arsed to get up and change the channel. |
| | Perdí el control remoto, pero no me da la gana de pararme y cambiar de canal. |
| can't be bothered adj | informal (unwilling to make effort) | no tomarse la molestia de, no molestarse en loc verb + prep |
| | | darle pereza a loc verb + prep |
| | (ES: coloquial) | darle palo a loc verb + prep |
| | I can't be bothered with proofreading, so I just post my e-mails as they are, misspellings and all. |
| | No me tomo la molestia de corregir los mensajes: los mando tal cual, con errores de ortografía y todo. |
| can't be bothered to do [sth] adj | informal (unwilling to make effort) | dar pereza loc verb |
| | (AR, coloquial) | dar paja loc verb |
| | Nieve wore her work clothes to the restaurant because she couldn't be bothered to change. |
can't be helped,
cannot be helped v expr | informal (unavoidable) | no quedar más remedio loc verb |
| | | no poderse hacer nada loc verb |
| | | no haber nada que hacer loc verb |
| | It's a pity that Deborah can't come with us, but it can't be helped. |
| | Es una lástima que Deborah no pueda venir, pero no queda más remedio. |
| | Es una lástima que Deborah no pueda venir, pero no se puede hacer nada. |
| can't be in all places at one time v expr | US, informal (have too many obligations) (coloquial) | no poder estar en todo loc verb |
| | | no poder hacer mil cosas a la vez loc verb |
| | | no poder estar en la procesión y repicando expr |
| | I can't be in all places at one time so someone will have to help me. |
| | No puedo estar en todo así que alguien va a tener que ayudarme. |
can't help [sth],
can't help doing [sth],
cannot help v expr | (feel compelled to do [sth]) | no poder evitar, no poder sino loc verb |
| | | no poder evitar hacer algo, no poder sino hacer algo loc verb |
| | I can't help wondering if she really knows what she's doing. |
| | No puedo evitar preguntarme si sabe realmente lo que está haciendo. |
| | No puedo sino preguntarme si sabe realmente lo que hace. |
| can't help yourself v expr | informal (be compelled to do [sth]) | no poder evitarlo loc verb |
| | She can't help herself - she has to criticize everything I do. |
| can't stick [sb/sth] | UK, informal (cannot tolerate) | no aguantar a loc verb |
| | (AR, UY, coloquial) | no bancarse a loc verb |
| | (MX, coloquial) | no tragar a loc verb |
| | I can't stick Geoffrey; he's so annoying! |
| can't take [sb] anywhere v expr | humorous, informal ([sb] is embarrassing) (coloquial) | no poder sacar a alguien de casa loc verb + prep |
| can't wait for [sth] v expr | figurative, informal (be impatient for) (informal) | no poder esperar a algo, no ver la hora de algo loc verb |
| | | esperar algo con ansias loc verb |
| | I can't wait for this day to be over. |
| | No veo la hora de que este día se acabe. |
| carry the can v expr | figurative, informal (take the blame) | pagar el pato expr |
| | | pagar los platos rotos expr |
| | | comerse el marrón expr |
| catch-as-catch-can adj | (using whatever method, material possible) | a salto de mata loc adj |
| | | indiscriminado/a adj |
| catch-as-catch-can n | historical (type of wrestling) (voz inglesa) | catch wrestling loc nom m |
| do all you can v expr | (try hard) | hacer todo lo posible loc verb |
| | I did all I could to catch the train, but it was too late. |
| | Hice todo lo posible para coger el tren, pero era demasiado tarde. |
| do everything you can v expr | (try your hardest) | hacer todo lo posible expr |
| | | hacer todo lo que se pueda expr |
| | I'm sure the police will catch the burglar; they're doing everything they can. |
| do everything you can to do [sth] v expr | (try your hardest to achieve [sth]) | hacer todo lo que uno pueda loc verb |
| | | hacer lo posible loc verb |
| | Choosing a university is an important decision, so make sure you do everything you can to get it right. |
| | Elegir universidad es una decisión importante, así que haz todo lo que puedas para no equivocarte. |
| do the best you can v expr | (try your hardest) | hacer lo mejor que pueda expr |
| | Just do the best you can. That's all anybody could ask for. |
| | Haz lo mejor que puedas; si no sale bien, irá mejor la próxima vez. |
| do what you can v expr | (do everything possible) | hacer todo lo posible loc verb |
garbage can (US),
trash can (US),
dustbin (UK),
bin (UK) n | (curbside waste collection container) | cubo de basura, cubo de la basura nm + loc adj |
| | (AR, UY) | tacho de basura, tacho de la basura nm + loc adj |
| | (GT, MX) | bote de basura, bote de la basura nm + loc adj |
| | (CL) | tarro de basura, tarro de la basura nm + loc adj |
| | Residents should put their garbage cans on the curb on Thursday mornings. |
| | Los residentes deben poner sus cubos de basura en la calle los jueves por la mañana. |
garbage can (US),
trash can (US),
bin (UK),
rubbish bin (UK) n | (household waste container) | cesto nm |
| | | cubo nm |
| | | tacho nm |
| | (MX) | bote nm |
| | The bathroom trash can needs emptying. |
happy as can be,
as happy as can be expr | (very content, delighted) | muy feliz loc adj |
| How can I help you? expr | (what do you need?) (servicios: atención al cliente) | ¿Le puedo ayudar en algo? loc interj |
| | Store clerks often ask customers, "How can I help you?" |
| I can't wait! interj | (I am excited about [sth]) (informal) | ¡no puedo esperar!, ¡no veo la hora! expr |
| | | ¡estoy ansioso! expr |
| | "This time next week we'll be on holiday." "I can't wait!" |
| | —A esta hora la semana que viene estaremos de vacaciones. —¡No puedo esperar! |
| if I can help it expr | informal (if I can prevent it) | si puedo evitarlo expr |
| Not if I can help it! interj | informal (I hope I can prevent it) | ¡No si puedo evitarlo! expr |
| in the can expr | figurative, informal (movie, project: finished) | terminado/a, acabado/a adj |
| | It's a relief to have this project in the can. |
| milk can n | (large metal container for milk) | lechera nf |
| | The farmer was very upset when the dog bumped into the milk can and spilt the milk. |
| | El granjero estaba muy enojado cuando el perro chocó la lechera y derramó la leche. |
| no can do expr | informal (that isn't possible) | no puedo expr |
open a can of worms,
open up a can of worms v expr | figurative, informal (create controversy, problems) | abrir la caja de Pandora loc verb |
| | | desencadenar un problema loc verb |
| | Laura opened a can of worms when she mentioned Oliver's ex-girlfriend. |
| paint can n | (tin container holding paint) | bote de pintura nm + loc adj |
| pop can n | US, regional (soda can, fizzy drink tin) | lata de refresco nf + loc adj |
| | The aluminum recycling facility pays thirty cents a pound for used pop cans. |
| | La planta de reciclaje de aluminio paga 30 centavos por las latas de refresco usadas. |
| see what can be done v expr | (try to find solution) | ver lo que uno puede hacer loc verb |
| | The mechanic said he'd see what can be done to repair my car. |
| | El mecánico dijo que vería lo que podía hacer para reparar mi auto. |
| spray can n | (aerosol) (voz inglesa) | spray, espray nm |
| | The chemicals in spray cans affect the ozone layer. |
| | Los químicos en los sprays afecta la capa de ozono. |
| tin can n | (metal food container) | lata nf |
| | | bote nm |
| | I hate eating soup from a tin can. |
| | Baked beans are sold in tin cans. |
| | Odio comer sopa de lata. |
| | Las judías cocidas se venden en botes. |
trash can (US),
dustbin,
rubbish bin (UK) n | (receptacle for refuse) | cubo de basura, cubo de la basura nm + loc adj |
| | (AR, UY) | tacho de basura, tacho de la basura nm + loc adj |
| | (GT, MX) | bote de basura, bote de la basura nm + loc adj |
| | (CL) | tarro de basura, tarro de la basura nm + loc adj |
| | Take those stinky shoes outside and throw them in the trash can! |
| | ¡Llévate esos zapatos apestosos y échalos al cubo de la basura! |
Two can play that game,
Two can play at that game expr | figurative (intention to retaliate) (figurado) | pagar con la misma moneda expr |
| | Two can play that game; if John refuses to help me, then I can refuse to help him! |
watering can,
watering pot,
sprinkling can n | (for watering plants) | regadera nf |
| | She prefers to use a watering can instead of a garden hose. |
| | Prefiere usar una regadera que una manguera. |
| Yes we can! interj | US (Obama's presidential campaign slogan) | ¡Podemos! interj |
| You can bet on it! interj | informal (that is certain) | no te quepa la menor duda loc interj |
| | | puedes apostarlo loc interj |
| | Whatever the government does will cost us money -- you can bet on it! |
| | Sea lo que sea que haga el gobierno, nos va a salir dinero. Que no te quepa la menor duda. |
| You can bet your life expr | figurative, informal (with clause: you can be certain that) | puedes apostar tu vida loc interj |
| | You can bet your life Maria will tell the teacher what we did. |
| | Puedes apostar la vida a que María le va a decir a la maestra lo que hicimos. |
| you can bet your life on [sth] expr | figurative, informal (you can be certain of [sth]) | puedes apostar tu vida en loc interj |
| | Rodney will certainly win the race; you can bet your life on that. |
| You can say that again! interj | slang (yes: emphatically) | ¡Y que lo digas! expr |
| | “This new gadget's just brilliant.” “You can say that again!” |
| | "El nuevo aparato es brillante" "¡Y que lo digas!". |
| you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear expr | (poor materials make poor products) | aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona queda expr |
cannot help but do [sth],
can't help but do [sth] v expr | (find unavoidable) | no poder evitar loc verb |
| | | no poder sino loc verb |
| | (coloquial) | no quedarle a uno otra que expr |
| | I cannot help but notice the enormous coffee stain on the front of your white blouse. |
| | No puedo evitar notar las enormes manchas de café en la pechera de tu blanca blusa. |
| can't do [sth] to save your life expr | (extremely bad at [sth]) | ser un negado expr |
| | | ser un inútil expr |
| | Heather couldn't bake a cake to save her life. |