Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Can'

English Word: can

Key Russian Translations:

• мочь [motʃʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Used for ability or permission]
• уметь [uˈmʲetʲ] - [Formal/Informal, Used specifically for skills or learned abilities]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner-Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

мочь: [motʃʲ]

Note on мочь: The final "ч" is a soft sound, similar to 'ch' in "church" but softer. Stress is on the first syllable.

уметь: [uˈmʲetʲ]

Note on уметь: Stress falls on the second syllable. The "ть" ending is soft, almost like a quick 't' with a 'y' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Ability (Physical or Mental Capacity)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мочь - Used for general ability or possibility (e.g., "I can do it").
• уметь - Used for specific skills or learned abilities (e.g., "I can swim").

Usage Examples:

• Я могу это сделать.

  I can do this.

• Она может говорить по-английски.

  She can speak English.

• Он умеет плавать.

  He can swim (knows how to swim).

• Мы умеем готовить русские блюда.

  We can cook Russian dishes (know how to).

• Ты можешь прийти завтра?

  Can you come tomorrow?

2. Permission (Allowance)

Translation(s) & Context:

• мочь - Used to express permission or allowance (e.g., "You can enter").

Usage Examples:

• Вы можете войти.

  You can come in.

• Можно мне взять книгу?

  Can I take the book? (Using "можно" as a related form for permission)

• Ты можешь остаться здесь.

  You can stay here.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

мочь (verb, irregular): This verb is used in various forms to express ability or permission. It is conjugated irregularly in the present tense.

уметь (verb, regular): This verb follows regular conjugation patterns for verbs ending in -еть. It denotes learned ability or skill.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for мочь:

• смочь (to manage to do something, often implying effort)
• быть в состоянии (to be able to, more formal)

Synonyms for уметь:

• владеть (to master or possess a skill)

Antonyms:

• не мочь (not to be able to)
• не уметь (not to know how to)

Related Phrases:

• мочь себе позволить - to be able to afford (something)
• не мочь дождаться - can’t wait (for something)
• уметь обращаться с - to know how to handle (something/someone)

Usage Notes:

• Choosing between мочь and уметь: Use "мочь" for general ability or permission, and "уметь" for specific skills or learned abilities. For example, "I can run" (general ability) would be "могу," while "I can play the piano" (skill) would be "умею."
• Permission nuance: When asking for permission, "можно" (a related impersonal form) is often used instead of "мочь" in conversational Russian (e.g., "Можно войти?" = "Can I come in?").
• Negative forms: "Не мочь" and "не уметь" are used for negation and often carry a stronger tone than the English "cannot."

Common Errors:

• Mixing мочь and уметь: English speakers often use "мочь" for skills, which sounds unnatural. Incorrect: "Я могу играть на гитаре." Correct: "Я умею играть на гитаре." (I can play the guitar).
• Forgetting conjugation: English "can" doesn’t change form, but Russian verbs like "мочь" have irregular forms. Incorrect: "Он мочь помочь." Correct: "Он может помочь." (He can help).

Cultural Notes:

In Russian, expressing ability or permission often carries a cultural nuance of politeness. Using "можно" for permission (e.g., "Можно мне...?" = "Can I...?") is considered more polite than a direct statement with "мочь," especially in formal or unfamiliar settings.

Related Concepts:

• способность (ability, capacity)
• разрешение (permission)
• навык (skill)