Can I test my blood-sugar level?

Question

I haven't looked up this translation in the dictionary: ¿puedo medirme el azúcar? (we say this way in Spanish).

Of course, we can say "¿puedo medirme el nivel de azúcar?" but I am trying to teach a simpler sentence. It is for a ten year old child.

I prefer "¿puedo medirme el azúcar?". Is there a sentence for that?.

I mean, Is it possible to say "can I test my sugar?"

Thanks.

It is for a ten year old child. It sounds better to me if year is singular, however, this may be regional. - Eddy, Nov 14, 2011

I didn't notice that Eddy, you're right. Nila if you had said it is for a child(who is) ten years old it would be OK. - Yeser007, Nov 14, 2011

Eddy / Nila - it should be It is for a ten-year-old child. Singular because "ten-year-old" is an adjective and all English adjectives are singular. - ian-hill, Nov 14, 2011

Ian is correct...you need the hyphens in that case - --Mariana--, Nov 14, 2011

Answer 1

Can I test my blood-sugar level?. is perfect

or if it is obvious what you are talking about.

Can I test my blood-sugar?

or

Can I test my sugar level?

Answer 2

I agree with Ian, except for the last one:

Can I test my blood-sugar level?. = perfect

Can I test my blood-sugar? = good

Can I test my sugar level? = not understood unless you were in a medical office.

agreed - patch, Nov 14, 2011

Where else would the sugar level be tested folks - only in the blood I suggest. :) - ian-hill, Nov 14, 2011

Also I said "if it is obvious .....etc. - ian-hill, Nov 14, 2011

Answer 3

"Can I test my sugar level?".

Well, he always asks me permission for doing it in English class. He is diabetic and he needs to go with his mother to do it. Then, is it understandable? and, is it correct?

Yes it is correct - ....... with H I S mother ............. Nila. - ian-hill, Nov 14, 2011

Nila, when a child has the knowledge, skill and ability to conduct a test and is only looking for permission, then say "May I" not "Can I". - Moe, Nov 14, 2011

"Can I" and "May I" are used interchangeably in most cases. - --Mariana--, Nov 14, 2011

Absolutely right Moe. Here is where context comes in. - Yeser007, Nov 14, 2011

Yes they are - this is for learners of English / "can" relates to habilidad - "may" relates to "permiso" - ian-hill, Nov 14, 2011

"Can I" and "May I" are not properly used interchangeably. This may be colloquial usage but it is not technically correct. - Moe, Nov 14, 2011

Answer 4

Where medical matters are concerned I always like to be specific. I would definitely add the word "level".

Answer 5

It is rather vague Nila but yes you can say it like that. I suppose it is a matter of context where it might be obvious what you are reffering to.