can

[/kæn/ (noun), /kən/ or /kæn/ (verb)]

noun/verbpl: cans (noun)

lata (noun); poder/conseguir (verb)

1. A metal container, typically cylindrical, used for storing food or drink

I opened a can of soda.

Abri uma lata de refrigerante.

2. To be able to do something; to have the ability or permission to do something

You can speak Portuguese fluently.

Você consegue falar português com fluência.

3. To preserve food in a sealed can

We can tomatoes every summer.

Enlatamos tomates todos os verões.

NYC Slang

"can" - no specific NYC slang equivalent, though "I can do that" might be shortened to "I can" colloquially

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

lata

Standard term for the metal container

Portugal

lata

Standard term, though 'latinha' is also used informally

General Brazilian

poder/conseguir

Both used for the modal verb; 'conseguir' emphasizes ability

can of worms (uma situação complicada)

can-do attitude (atitude positiva e determinada)

can you imagine (você consegue imaginar?)

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