can

→

English:

can

expand for details Detailed etymology

definitions

interjection

  1. (high tone, usually short vowel) used to indicate acceptance or acknowledgement; 'OK'

    2. - I leave your book here, ok?
    - Can.

  2. (low to rising tone, long vowel) used to indicate reassurance or confirmation

    3. - Can. Trust me.
    - Cannot then how?
    - Don't worry. Can is can.

    synonyms:

    eh sai boleh

verb

  1. to be able to

    2. If can then tell me can lah.

  2. to know how to

    3. Wah your Jimmy is so clever. Primary school only but algebra he can already!

    synonyms:

    eh hiao
  3. may; to have permission to

    4. Cher, can I go toilet?

    synonyms:

    eh sai boleh
  4. to possibly be; to have the potential to

    5. Today the office hot until can pengsan.

    antonyms:

    cannot

particle

  1. (high tone, usually short vowel) used at the end of a sentence as a question or interrogative marker asking about acceptability of a presented option; 'OK?'

    2. I pass you later?
    → I pass you later, can?


usage notes

As a verb, when used alone or as the subject, carries a high tone (e.g. "Tell me can anot"); as an auxiliary verb (accompanying another verb), it is unemphasized and with either no or a mid/low tone ("Can on the aircon?").


particles

lah

effect:

reassurance, confirmation

—

can, of course

lah...

effect:

hesitation; vague doubt; resignation; reluctance

—

can, I guess...

laa

effect:

acceptance (possibly begrudging)

—

alright, can

lor

effect:

resignation; emphasis

—

sure... can; alright... can

already

effect:

completion

—

already can; (of something or somebody) to be ready or finished

liao

effect:

finality, present ability

—

ready to go

liao

effect:

completion

—

(of something or somebody) to be ready or finished

liao lor

effect:

finality; exasperation; annoyance

—

(intj.) used to express finality; (sarcastic) exasperation or annoyance at an unfortunate situation or mess-up

leh

effect:

persuasion; unconvincedness

—

why not? I think (can); seems like (can)

one

effect:

persuasion; reassurance

—

can, I mean it; really can; can, don't worry

one lah

effect:

persuasion; reassurance; confidence

—

can, it won't pose a problem; easily can, don't worry

ba

effect:

agreement; acceptance

—

right, can

sia

effect:

surprise; subversion

—

actually (can)!; wait a minute, (can)!

ah

effect:

acceptance

—

sure, that'll do; alright, (can)

ah?

effect:

asking for confirmation

—

(when just about to act) you're sure about this?; will this do?

ah?

effect:

doubt; curiosity; asking for confirmation

—

are you sure (can)?; is it really possible/allowed?

meh?

effect:

doubt; questioning

—

can (something or somebody) really?; is it really possible/allowed?

hor

effect:

assurance; assertion of opinion

—

yes, really (can); believe me, (can)

hor?

effect:

asking for confirmation

—

are you sure (can)?; will this do?

bo?

effect:

questioning possibility

—

(can) or cannot?

ha?

effect:

clarification; confirmation

—

are you sure (can)?; did I understand correctly that (can)?

isit?

effect:

sarcasm; admonishment

—

oh, so you thought it was fine, did you?

can

effect:

confirmation

—

yep, can!; go ahead

anot

effect:

questioning possibility

—

See can anot.

related:

no fish, prawns also can can anot can is can eh sai bo got happy can already how sure bo sure anot OK can how can dis be allow

categories:

particles

entries starting with

'can'