I Can Do It! — Asking About & Expressing Ability | Common Core Lesson

Welcome to Unit 9! In this unit, we will talk about money and jobs. Let’s start by learning how to ask about and talk about what we can and can’t do.

To ask if someone is able to do something, we say:

Example

Can you swim?
Are you able to cook?

لسؤال شخص عن قدرته على فعل شيء، نقول: “Can you swim?” (هل تستطيع السباحة؟) أو “Are you able to cook?” (هل أنت قادر على الطبخ؟).

To say you are able to do something, we use “can” or “be able to”:

Example

I can speak two languages.
I’m able to ride a bike.

💡 Easy Tip

“Can” and “be able to” mean the same thing! “Can” is shorter and more common in everyday speech.

لقول أنك قادر على فعل شيء، نستخدم “can” أو “be able to”. مثال: “I can speak two languages” (أستطيع التحدث بلغتين).

To say you are not able to do something, we say:

Example

I can’t play the guitar.
I’m not able to draw well.

لقول أنك غير قادر على فعل شيء، نقول: “I can’t play the guitar” (لا أستطيع عزف الجيتار) أو “I’m not able to draw well” (لست قادرا على الرسم جيدا).

Let’s see ability language in a real conversation:

Dialogue

A: Can you swim?
B: Yes, I can swim very well. Can you?
A: No, I can’t. But I can play the piano!

هذا حوار كامل عن القدرة: “Can you swim?” (نعم، أستطيع)، “No, I can’t. But I can play the piano!” (لا، لا أستطيع. لكن أستطيع عزف البيانو!).

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