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"To" is a preposition which is often translated as "a", and "can" is an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "poder". Learn more about the difference between "to" and "can" below.
to(
tu
)
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. a
I'm going to your house.Voy a tu casa.
b. hacia
She walked to the woods.Caminó hacia el bosque.
a. hasta
I would run to your house right now just to see you!¡Correría hasta tu casa ahora mismo solo para verte!
a. a
I just came to say hello.Solo vine a saludar.
a. de
All of those books belonged to my grandfather.Todos estos libros eran de mi abuelo.
a. menos
It is a quarter to six.Son las seis menos cuarto.
a. por
The birth ratio is 107 boys to 100 girls.La proporción de nacimientos es de 107 niños por 100 niñas.
a. a
Variable A is greater or equal to variable B.La variable A es mayor o igual a la variable B.
a. para
To my surprise, he did not recognize me.Para mi sorpresa, él no me reconoció.
a. por
Here's to the birthday girl! Cheers!¡Por la cumpleañera! ¡Salud!
a. a
Turn to the left to exit.Gira a la izquierda para salir.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
I learned to drive when I was 17.Aprendí a manejar a los 17 años.
We need to work faster.Tenemos que trabajar más rápido.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
I didn't want to tell you but I felt I had to.No quería decírtelo pero me vi obligada a hacerlo.
It's my party and I'll cry if I want to.Es mi fiesta y lloraré si quiero.
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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.).
auxiliary verb
a. poder
I can run five miles in an hour.Puedo correr cinco millas en una hora.
b. saber
I can cook Italian food too.También sé cocinar comida italiana.
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.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct 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).
noun
a. la lata
(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).
(F)
There are about 140 calories in one can of soda.Una lata de refresco tiene unas 140 calorías.
b. el bote
(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).
(M)
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.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(toilet)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
a. el baño
(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).
(M)
I need to hit the can, and then let's go to another bar.Tengo que ir al baño y después vámonos a otro bar.
b. el váter
(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).
(M)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
Do you need to use the can before we leave?¿Tienes que ir al váter antes de irnos?
a. el bidón
(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).
(M)
Packing an empty gas can in your trunk is wise.Llevar un bidón de gasolina vacío en el maletero es inteligente.
8.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(prison)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
a. la cana
(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).
(F)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in Cuba
(Cuba)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
(South America)
They met when Mick was in the can.Se conocieron cuando Mick estuvo en la cana.
b. el bote
(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).
(M)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
(Central America)
Regionalism used in Mexico
(Mexico)
Regionalism used in South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela
(South America)
His dad's in the can for dealing.Su padre está en el bote por traficar droga.
c. la chirona
(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).
(F)
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
(slang)
Regionalism used in Spain
(Spain)
They threw him in the can for armed robbery.Lo tiraron a la chirona por robo armado.
9.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(buttocks)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
a. el culo
(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).
(M)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
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.).
transitive verb
a. enlatar
She usually cans vegetables for the homeless every December.Suele enlatar verduras para la gente sin hogar cada diciembre.
11.
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
(slang)
(to fire)
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
a. poner de patitas en la calle
A very informal word or phrase used by a particular group or community as a substitute for standard language (e.g., joint, john).
(slang)
My boss canned me for reading comics at work.El jefe me puso de patitas en la calle por leer cómics en el trabajo.
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