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"Was" is a form of "be", a copular verb which is often translated as "ser". "Can" is an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "poder". Learn more about the difference between "can" and "was" below.
can(
kahn
)An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. poder
Can I go out with Jennifer on Friday night?¿Puedo salir con Jennifer el viernes por la noche?
a. poder
If you like, you can have the salad with the dressing on the side.Si desea, puede pedir la ensalada con el aderezo al lado.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I can't tell if it's going to rain or snow.No sé si va a llover o nevar.
I couldn't see because of the brightness of that light.No veía por culpa del resplandor de esa luz.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
5. (container)
b. el bote (M)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
Do you think one can of paint will be enough for the whole room?¿Crees que con un bote de pintura nos llega para toda la habitación?
6. (colloquial) (toilet) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
8. (colloquial) (prison) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. la cana (F) (colloquial) (Cuba) (South America)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Cuba
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
They met when Mick was in the can.Se conocieron cuando Mick estuvo en la cana.
b. el bote (M) (colloquial) (Central America) (Mexico) (South America)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
Regionalism used in Mexico
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
His dad's in the can for dealing.Su padre está en el bote por traficar droga.
c. la chirona (F) (slang) (Spain)
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in Spain
They threw him in the can for armed robbery.Lo tiraron a la chirona por robo armado.
9. (colloquial) (buttocks) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. el culo (M) (colloquial)
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Rob deserves a good kick in the can for that.Rob se merece una buena patada en el culo por eso.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. enlatar
She usually cans vegetables for the homeless every December.Suele enlatar verduras para la gente sin hogar cada diciembre.
11. (slang) (to fire) (United States)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
Regionalism used in the United States
a. poner de patitas en la calle (slang)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
My boss canned me for reading comics at work.El jefe me puso de patitas en la calle por leer cómics en el trabajo.
be(
bi
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I'm going to the party. - So am I.Voy a la fiesta. - Yo también.
It is a lovely day, isn't it?Es un día precioso, ¿verdad?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I don't know how much salt is to be added to the sauce.No sé cuánta sal hay que añadir a la salsa.
The assignment is to be done by next Thursday.La tarea tiene que estar para el jueves que viene.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
My baby is due in three months.Mi bebé nacerá dentro de tres meses.
Tomorrow, I'm going to the dentist.Mañana voy al dentista.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Had it not been for his family, he would have never become an artist.Si no fuera por su familia, nunca habría sido artista.
If I were you, I would not go.Yo en tu lugar, no iría.
