When you're learning Swedish, you'll quickly encounter the verb "kan." It's a very useful word because it means "can" or "to be able to." This verb is special because it doesn't change its form based on the subject (like "jag kan," "du kan," "han kan").
You can use "kan" to talk about ability, possibility, or permission. For example, if you want to say "I can speak Swedish," you'd say "Jag kan prata svenska." It's a fundamental word for expressing what you are capable of doing.
When using "kan," remember it's a modal verb. This means the main verb following it will always be in its infinitive form (the base form, usually ending in -a or -er in Swedish).
You might notice that "kan" itself doesn't change with the subject; it's the same for "jag," "du," "han," "vi," etc. This makes it quite straightforward once you get the hang of it.
Think of it like "can" in English – you wouldn't say "I cans do it." Similarly, in Swedish, you don't conjugate "kan" based on who is doing the action. The focus is on the ability itself.
Alright, let's talk about the Swedish word 'kan'. It's a very common verb, and it means 'to be able to' or 'can'. You'll hear it all the time, everywhere. Mastering this word will really help you sound more natural in Swedish. It's a key piece of vocabulary for expressing ability, permission, and possibility.
§ Basic Definition of 'kan'
- Word
- kan (verb)
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- to be able to; can
§ 'Kan' in Everyday Situations
You'll find 'kan' popping up constantly. It's not just for talking about big skills; it's also for everyday capabilities. Let's look at some scenarios where you'll definitely hear it.
§ At Work
In a work environment, 'kan' is crucial for discussing tasks, abilities, and possibilities. Whether you're talking about what you or a colleague can do, or what's possible within a project, 'kan' is your word.
Jag kan
(I can send the email now.)
Vi kan
(We can discuss it at the meeting.)
Han kan
(He can handle that task.)
§ At School
In a school setting, 'kan' is used for everything from student abilities to course opportunities. You'll hear teachers using it to talk about what students are capable of, and students using it to express their own abilities or ask for permission.
Barnen kan
(The children can read the book now.)
Du kan
(You can ask questions if you don't understand.)
Vi kan
(We can learn more about Swedish history.)
§ In the News
When you're reading or listening to the news in Swedish, 'kan' is often used to describe potential events, what authorities are able to do, or what experts believe is possible.
Experter säger att det kan
(Experts say it can snow this weekend.)
Regeringen kan
(The government can make a decision soon.)
Detta kan
(This can lead to changes.)
§ Common Phrases with 'kan'
Here are a few more common phrases where 'kan' is essential:
- **Jag kan inte:** I can't. (Very common for expressing inability.)
- **Kan du hjälpa mig?** Can you help me? (A polite way to ask for assistance.)
- **Vad kan jag göra?** What can I do? (Useful for offering help or asking for instructions.)
- **Det kan vara så.** It can be so. / That might be the case. (Expressing possibility.)
Keep an ear out for 'kan' in your daily Swedish exposure. The more you hear it and use it, the more natural it will become. It's a foundational word for truly engaging in Swedish conversations.
§ Understanding 'Kan'
The Swedish verb 'kan' is a core word for expressing ability and possibility. It's equivalent to 'can' or 'to be able to' in English. Because it's a modal verb, it doesn't change its form based on the subject (I, you, he, she, etc.). This makes it relatively easy to use once you understand its function.
- Swedish Word
- kan (verb)
- Definition
- to be able to; can
§ Basic Usage of 'Kan'
You use 'kan' directly before another verb in its infinitive form (the base form, usually ending in -a). This structure is very similar to English.
Jag kan prata svenska. (I can speak Swedish.)
Han kan simma. (He can swim.)
Vi kan hjälpa dig. (We can help you.)
§ 'Kan' for Possibility
Beyond ability, 'kan' also expresses possibility or likelihood, similar to 'may' or 'might' in English. This is important for understanding slightly more complex sentences.
Det kan regna idag. (It might rain today.)
Hon kan komma senare. (She may come later.)
§ Similar Words and When to Use 'Kan'
While 'kan' is your go-to for 'can' and 'to be able to', it's good to be aware of other words that express similar ideas but with different nuances.
- Få (to get, to be allowed to): 'Få' often implies permission or receiving something. While you *can* use 'få' for permission, 'kan' is more about the inherent ability or general possibility.
Jag kan inte komma in. (I cannot get in. - referring to my ability to open the door, or perhaps an inherent obstacle)
Jag får inte komma in. (I am not allowed to get in. - someone has denied me permission)
Notice the difference: 'kan inte' is about your capability or a barrier, while 'får inte' is about rules or permission from another person.
- Kunna (infinitive of 'kan'): 'Kunna' is the infinitive form of 'kan'. You will see it when 'kan' isn't directly followed by another verb, often with 'att' (to) or in certain grammatical constructions. However, for expressing 'can' or 'be able to' in a sentence, you almost always use 'kan'.
Att kunna tala flera språk är en fördel. (To be able to speak several languages is an advantage.)
Here, 'kunna' is acting as a noun phrase, meaning 'the ability to'.
- Möjligt (possible): 'Möjligt' is an adjective meaning 'possible'. You would use it in constructions like 'det är möjligt att...' (it is possible that...). While 'kan' also expresses possibility, 'möjligt' is more formal and used when discussing the abstract possibility of something.
Det kan vara sant. (It can/might be true.)
Det är möjligt att det är sant. (It is possible that it is true.)
Use 'kan' when the possibility is more direct or active. Use 'möjligt' when you are stating the general possibility of a situation or fact.
§ Summary for 'Kan'
Stick with 'kan' for most everyday expressions of ability and general possibility. Its simplicity is a strength. As you advance, you'll naturally pick up the subtle differences with words like 'få' and 'kunna' in more complex sentences. For now, master 'kan' – it's incredibly versatile and will serve you well in many situations.
Guide de prononciation
- pronouncing the 'a' too long, like in 'car'
Niveau de difficulté
short and common verb form
simple spelling
easy pronunciation
very common and distinct sound
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Can (kan) is a modal verb. This means it's followed by another verb in its infinitive form (the base form of the verb, without 'att').
Jag kan simma. (I can swim.)
Modal verbs do not change their form based on the subject. 'Kan' is always 'kan', regardless of whether the subject is 'jag' (I), 'du' (you), 'han/hon' (he/she), 'vi' (we), or 'de' (they).
Vi kan prata svenska. (We can speak Swedish.)
In questions, 'kan' often comes at the beginning of the sentence.
Kan du hjälpa mig? (Can you help me?)
In negative sentences, 'inte' (not) comes after 'kan'.
Jag kan inte komma. (I cannot come.)
Sometimes 'kan' can also mean 'to know how to' when followed by another verb. For example, knowing how to play an instrument or speak a language.
Hon kan spela gitarr. (She can play guitar.)
Souvent confondu avec
While 'kan' can sometimes translate to 'know', 'att veta' specifically refers to knowing facts or information.
'Att få' is about permission or receiving something, which is distinct from 'kan' (ability).
This is the infinitive form of 'kan'. Learners often confuse the present tense 'kan' as the base form.
Modèles grammaticaux
Expressions idiomatiques
"så vitt jag kan se"
as far as I can see
Så vitt jag kan se, är allting okej. (As far as I can see, everything is okay.)
neutral"kan det vara sant?"
can it be true?
Kan det verkligen vara sant att du vann lotteriet? (Can it really be true that you won the lottery?)
neutral"det kan hända"
it can happen / it might happen
Det kan hända att vi ses imorgon. (It might happen that we'll see each other tomorrow.)
neutral"jag kan inte hjälpa det"
I can't help it
Jag kan inte hjälpa att jag är så trött. (I can't help that I'm so tired.)
neutral"kan du vara snäll och..."
can you please...
Kan du vara snäll och stänga dörren? (Can you please close the door?)
neutral"vad kan man göra?"
what can one do?
Vädret är dåligt, vad kan man göra? (The weather is bad, what can one do?)
neutral"så gott jag kan"
as best as I can
Jag försöker göra det så gott jag kan. (I'm trying to do it as best as I can.)
neutral"det kan inte stämma"
that can't be right / that can't be true
Det kan inte stämma att bussen redan har gått. (It can't be right that the bus has already left.)
neutral"att inte kunna bärga sig"
to not be able to contain oneself / to be unable to wait
Jag kan knappt bärga mig inför semestern! (I can hardly wait for the vacation!)
informal"jag kan inte få nog av..."
I can't get enough of...
Jag kan inte få nog av den här musiken. (I can't get enough of this music.)
neutralFacile à confondre
'Kunna' is the infinitive form, but learners often hear 'kan' and mistakenly think it's the base form.
'Kunna' is the verb 'to be able to' in its infinitive form. 'Kan' is the present tense form.
Jag kan simma. (I can swim.) Du måste kunna simma för att vara med. (You must be able to swim to join.)
Both 'kan' and 'vet' can be translated as 'know' in some contexts, leading to confusion.
'Kan' means 'to be able to' or 'to know how to do something'. 'Vet' means 'to know a fact or piece of information'.
Jag kan spela gitarr. (I can play guitar / I know how to play guitar.) Jag vet att han är här. (I know that he is here.)
Similar to 'can' in English, 'får' can express permission, which might be confused with 'kan' (ability).
'Kan' is about ability or possibility. 'Får' is about permission.
Jag kan lyfta den här lådan. (I can lift this box.) Får jag öppna fönstret? (May I open the window?)
'Kunde' is the past tense of 'kunna', but learners might not immediately recognize it as such if they only know 'kan'.
'Kunde' means 'could' (past tense of 'can' or 'to be able to'). 'Kan' is present tense.
Igår kunde jag inte komma. (Yesterday I couldn't come.) Idag kan jag komma. (Today I can come.)
'Möjligt' means 'possible', which is related to ability and can be mixed up with 'kan' in terms of conveying possibility.
'Kan' is a verb expressing ability or possibility. 'Möjligt' is an adjective meaning 'possible'.
Det kan regna idag. (It can rain today / It might rain today.) Det är möjligt att det regnar. (It is possible that it will rain.)
Structures de phrases
Jag kan simma.
I can swim.
Du kan tala svenska.
You can speak Swedish.
Han/hon kan spela gitarr.
He/she can play guitar.
Vi kan hjälpa dig.
We can help you.
Kan du öppna dörren?
Can you open the door?
De kan komma senare.
They can come later.
Jag kan inte förstå.
I can't understand.
Kan vi träffas imorgon?
Can we meet tomorrow?
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Comment l'utiliser
How to use "kan" in a sentence
Kan means "can" or "to be able to" in Swedish. It's a modal verb, which means it helps other verbs. Here's how it works:
- It doesn't change with the subject. So, jag kan (I can), du kan (you can), han kan (he can) – always kan.
- The main verb that comes after kan is always in its base form (infinitive) and you don't use "att" before it.
Examples:
- Jag kan tala svenska. (I can speak Swedish.)
- Kan du hjälpa mig? (Can you help me?)
- Vi kan ses imorgon. (We can meet tomorrow.)
- De kan inte komma. (They can't come.)
Common Mistakes with "kan"
Here are some things to watch out for:
- Using "att" before the main verb: This is a common mistake for English speakers. In English, you might say "I can to speak," but in Swedish, you never use "att" after kan. Just the verb directly.
- Incorrect: Jag kan att tala svenska.
- Correct: Jag kan tala svenska. (I can speak Swedish.)
- Confusing "kan" with "vet": While both relate to ability or knowledge, they are different. Kan is about capability (can do something), while vet is about knowing a fact or information (know something).
- Incorrect: Jag kan var han bor. (This would mean "I can where he lives," which doesn't make sense.)
- Correct: Jag vet var han bor. (I know where he lives.)
- Correct: Jag kan simma. (I can swim.)
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsBoth "kan" and "kunna" mean "to be able to." The main difference is that "kunna" is the infinitive form, while "kan" is the present tense form. You'll use "kan" much more often in everyday conversation.
You use "kan" just like "can" in English. For example, "Jag kan simma" (I can swim) or "Vi kan hjälpa dig" (We can help you).
Yes, absolutely! Just put "kan" at the beginning of the sentence or after the question word. For instance, "Kan du prata svenska?" (Can you speak Swedish?) or "Vad kan du göra?" (What can you do?)
No, that's one of the nice things about Swedish! "Kan" stays the same for all subjects (jag, du, han, hon, vi, ni, de). So it's always "jag kan," "du kan," "vi kan," etc.
You can use "kan" to express possibility, similar to "might" or "could" in English. For example, "Det kan regna idag" (It might rain today) or "Han kan komma senare" (He could come later).
Yes, it's a common way to ask for permission. For example, "Kan jag gå på toaletten?" (Can I go to the toilet?) or "Kan vi äta nu?" (Can we eat now?)
To say someone cannot do something, you simply add "inte" after "kan." So, "Jag kan inte simma" (I cannot swim) or "Vi kan inte komma" (We cannot come).
Yes, the past tense of "kan" is "kunde." So, "Jag kunde simma" (I could swim) or "Hon kunde inte komma igår" (She couldn't come yesterday).
Absolutely. It's often used this way. For example, "Jag kan svenska" (I know Swedish/I can speak Swedish) or "Kan du köra bil?" (Do you know how to drive a car?)
A common mistake is forgetting that "kan" usually takes the infinitive form of the following verb without "att." For example, it's "Jag kan sjunga" (I can sing), not "Jag kan att sjunga."
Teste-toi 54 questions
Write a short sentence saying what you can do. For example, 'Jag kan simma' (I can swim).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jag kan laga mat. (I can cook.)
Write a sentence asking if someone can do something. For example, 'Kan du prata svenska?' (Can you speak Swedish?)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kan du köra bil? (Can you drive a car?)
Write a short sentence saying what you cannot do. For example, 'Jag kan inte flyga' (I cannot fly).
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jag kan inte sjunga. (I cannot sing.)
What can Anna do?
Read this passage:
Anna kan sjunga. Hon kan också dansa. Men hon kan inte spela gitarr.
What can Anna do?
The passage says 'Anna kan sjunga. Hon kan också dansa.' (Anna can sing. She can also dance.)
The passage says 'Anna kan sjunga. Hon kan också dansa.' (Anna can sing. She can also dance.)
Can Per help you with French?
Read this passage:
Per kan inte prata franska. Han kan bara prata svenska och engelska. Kan han hjälpa dig med franska?
Can Per help you with French?
The passage states 'Per kan inte prata franska.' (Per cannot speak French.)
The passage states 'Per kan inte prata franska.' (Per cannot speak French.)
Does the passage say if the cat can swim?
Read this passage:
Katten kan klättra i träd. Den kan inte flyga. Kan katten simma?
Does the passage say if the cat can swim?
The passage only mentions that the cat can climb trees and cannot fly. It does not provide information about swimming.
The passage only mentions that the cat can climb trees and cannot fly. It does not provide information about swimming.
Jag ___ tala svenska nu. (I ___ speak Swedish now.)
To express ability, use 'kan'.
___ du hjälpa mig? (___ you help me?)
To ask about someone's ability, use 'Kan'.
Vi ___ inte komma idag. (We ___ not come today.)
To express inability, use 'kan inte'.
Min bror ___ simma mycket bra. (My brother ___ swim very well.)
To state an ability, use 'kan'.
De ___ spela gitarr. (They ___ play the guitar.)
To say someone has a skill, use 'kan'.
Jag ___ läsa svenska böcker. (I ___ read Swedish books.)
To express the ability to read, use 'kan'.
Write a sentence using 'kan' to say what you are able to do.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jag kan prata lite svenska. (I can speak a little Swedish.)
Write a question using 'kan' to ask if someone is able to do something.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kan du hjälpa mig? (Can you help me?)
Translate the following sentence into Swedish: 'He can swim well.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Han kan simma bra.
What is Lisa able to do well?
Read this passage:
Lisa kan inte komma idag. Hon kan sjunga jättebra. Hennes bror kan spela gitarr.
What is Lisa able to do well?
The passage states 'Hon kan sjunga jättebra' which means 'She can sing very well'.
The passage states 'Hon kan sjunga jättebra' which means 'She can sing very well'.
What is the speaker able to do?
Read this passage:
Vi kan äta middag klockan sju. Kan du laga mat? Jag kan baka en kaka.
What is the speaker able to do?
The passage says 'Jag kan baka en kaka' which translates to 'I can bake a cake'.
The passage says 'Jag kan baka en kaka' which translates to 'I can bake a cake'.
What languages can the speaker speak?
Read this passage:
Kan du tala engelska? Ja, jag kan tala engelska och lite tyska. Min vän kan inte tala tyska.
What languages can the speaker speak?
The speaker says 'Ja, jag kan tala engelska och lite tyska' meaning 'Yes, I can speak English and a little German'.
The speaker says 'Ja, jag kan tala engelska och lite tyska' meaning 'Yes, I can speak English and a little German'.
Vilken mening använder 'kan' korrekt för att uttrycka förmåga?
'Kan' används här för att säga att man har förmågan att tala/förstå svenska.
Välj det bästa alternativet för att fylla i luckan: 'Min bror ___ spela gitarr mycket bra.'
'Kan' betyder 'to be able to', vilket passar bra när man pratar om att kunna spela ett instrument.
I vilken mening används 'kan' för att fråga om tillstånd?
Här används 'kan' för att artigt fråga om det är okej att hjälpa till, alltså ett tillstånd.
Meningen 'Jag kan inte komma på festen' betyder att personen är förhindrad att komma.
Ja, 'kan inte' indikerar bristande förmåga eller möjlighet, ofta på grund av ett hinder.
Uttrycket 'Det kan hända' betyder att något är säkert att ske.
Nej, 'Det kan hända' betyder 'It might happen', vilket indikerar osäkerhet eller möjlighet, inte säkerhet.
Om någon säger 'Jag kan laga mat', betyder det att personen gillar att laga mat.
Nej, det betyder att personen har förmågan att laga mat, oavsett om de gillar det eller inte.
The speaker is declining an invitation.
Someone is asking for assistance.
A conditional plan for an outing.
Read this aloud:
Jag kan simma jättebra.
Focus: kan, simma
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Kan ni tala svenska?
Focus: Kan, tala, svenska
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Han kan spela gitarr.
Focus: kan, spela, gitarr
Tu as dit :
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The correct word order for a simple statement in Swedish is subject, auxiliary verb, main verb, object.
In Swedish, 'inte' (not) usually comes after the auxiliary verb and before the main verb.
For a question in Swedish, the auxiliary verb often comes first, followed by the subject.
The speaker is declining an invitation.
Someone is asking for assistance.
They are discussing a possibility dependent on the weather.
Read this aloud:
Jag kan tala lite svenska, men inte flytande ännu.
Focus: kan
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Kan du upprepa det, tack?
Focus: upprepa
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
De kan komma över senare ikväll om de hinner.
Focus: hinna
Tu as dit :
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Write a short paragraph about something new you recently learned to do, using the verb "kan".
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jag kan nu baka surdegsbröd. Det tog några försök, men nu förstår jag processen och kan göra ett gott bröd. Jag har lärt mig att vara tålmodig med degen och att temperaturen är viktig.
Describe a situation where someone's ability (using "kan") made a significant difference. Explain what they could do and the outcome.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Min vän kan tala flytande japanska, vilket gjorde en stor skillnad när vi reste i Tokyo. Hon kunde förhandla om priser, fråga om vägen och beställa mat utan problem. Tack vare hennes förmåga blev vår resa mycket smidigare och roligare.
Imagine you are applying for a job. Write three sentences using "kan" to describe your skills and what you can contribute to the company.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jag kan hantera komplexa projekt effektivt och leverera resultat i tid. Jag kan även kommunicera tydligt med olika intressenter och bygga starka team. Med min erfarenhet kan jag bidra till att optimera era processer och uppnå era mål.
Vad är ett av huvudbudskapen i texten om att spela ett musikinstrument?
Read this passage:
Många människor drömmer om att kunna spela ett musikinstrument flytande, men det kräver tid och övning. Även om man inte kan spela som en professionell, kan man ändå hitta stor glädje i att spela för sig själv eller med vänner. Det är aldrig för sent att lära sig, och med tillräckligt engagemang kan nästan vem som helst utveckla denna förmåga.
Vad är ett av huvudbudskapen i texten om att spela ett musikinstrument?
Texten säger att 'Även om man inte kan spela som en professionell, kan man ändå hitta stor glädje i att spela för sig själv eller med vänner.'
Texten säger att 'Även om man inte kan spela som en professionell, kan man ändå hitta stor glädje i att spela för sig själv eller med vänner.'
Vilken är en potentiell negativ konsekvens av den moderna teknikutvecklingen, enligt texten?
Read this passage:
Teknikutvecklingen har revolutionerat hur vi lever och arbetar. Idag kan vi kommunicera globalt på ett ögonblick, och tillgången till information är enorm. Dock kan denna ständiga uppkoppling ibland leda till stress. Det är viktigt att kunna hantera information och att veta när man ska koppla bort.
Vilken är en potentiell negativ konsekvens av den moderna teknikutvecklingen, enligt texten?
Texten nämner att 'denna ständiga uppkoppling ibland kan leda till stress.'
Texten nämner att 'denna ständiga uppkoppling ibland kan leda till stress.'
Vad innebär flexibilitet, utöver att kunna ändra planer, enligt texten?
Read this passage:
Att kunna anpassa sig till nya miljöer är en värdefull egenskap, både i arbetslivet och privat. Den som kan omfamna förändring och lära sig nya saker snabbt, har ofta lättare att lyckas. Flexibilitet innebär inte bara att man kan ändra sina planer, utan också att man kan se möjligheter i oväntade situationer.
Vad innebär flexibilitet, utöver att kunna ändra planer, enligt texten?
Texten säger att 'Flexibilitet innebär inte bara att man kan ändra sina planer, utan också att man kan se möjligheter i oväntade situationer.'
Texten säger att 'Flexibilitet innebär inte bara att man kan ändra sina planer, utan också att man kan se möjligheter i oväntade situationer.'
Focus on how 'kunde' (could) is used in a complex sentence about overcoming exhaustion.
Pay attention to the conditional perfect 'skulle ha kunnat' (would have been able to) in a hypothetical scenario.
Listen for 'kunde' (could) indicating possibility in a formal context.
Read this aloud:
Trots de ogynnsamma omständigheterna, lyckades hon demonstrera att hon kunde anpassa sig snabbt till nya utmaningar.
Focus: anpassa sig
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Det är avgörande att vi kan formulera våra argument på ett övertygande sätt för att influera beslutsfattarna.
Focus: avgörande, formulera
Tu as dit :
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Read this aloud:
Forskningen har visat att individer med god emotionell intelligens bättre kan navigera komplexa sociala interaktioner.
Focus: emotionell intelligens, navigera
Tu as dit :
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/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
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anbringa
C1to apply, attach, or affix
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