canst
gb/kˈænst/ us/kˈænst/
C1
English
~ 26200
tud
VERB
C1
ARCHAIC
1
tud
A1
Usage pattern:
[subject: thou] canst [bare infinitive]
Thou canst not know what the morrow shall bring.
Nem tudhatod, mit hoz a holnap.
If thou canst forgive, thy heart shall find peace.
Ha meg tudsz bocsátani, békére lel a szíved.
Thou canst speak plainly; I shall not be offended.
Canst thou lift this burden without help?
Thou canst choose the path that seemeth right unto thee.
Learner examples
Thou canst read this old text if thou study hard.
El tudod olvasni ezt a régi szöveget, ha sokat tanulsz.
If thou canst come, we shall be glad.
Ha el tudsz jönni, örülni fogunk.
Canst thou see the small star in the sky?
Thou canst ask any question thou wilt.
Thou canst not enter, for the door is locked.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "canst" with the contraction "can't" because they look similar in writing. "Canst" is an old positive form used only with "thou" ("thou canst" = modern "you can"), while "can't" is a modern negative form of "cannot." Another mistake is using "canst" with "you" (e.g., *you canst*), which is incorrect; with modern "you," simply use "can."
Meaning
archaic second-person singular of "can"
Collocations
thou canst
|canst thou
|thou canst not
|that thou canst
|what canst thou
Synonyms
can (Modern, all-purpose form; used with "you" and all other subjects in present tense instead of the archaic "canst.")
Antonyms
cannot (Expresses lack of ability or possibility, the negative form that contrasts with the affirmative meaning of "canst.")
Themes
literature
|religion
|history
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An old form of "can" used with "thou" (old word for "you") to say that someone is able to do something.
Archaic second-person singular form of "can," used with "thou" to show that the person addressed is able to do something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
canst
IPA
GB/kˈænst/
US/kˈænst/
Syllables & stress
canst (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (canst)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: canst
- 3rd Person Singular: cansts
- Present Participle: cansting
- Past: cansted
- Past Participle: cansted
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.