Spanish word

can

Pronunciation

IPA/kan/

Meaning

  • masculine noundog

Example

¿De quién es ese can?

Whose dog is that?

Illustration for can (dog)

More examples

Cada día paseo con mi can.

Every day I walk with my dog.

Core concept

Poetic canine guardian.

Common phrases

  • paseo con el can

    walk with the dog

  • educar al can

    train the dog

  • atender al can

    care for the dog

Similar words

perro: Common street or household dog seen in everyday life.
perrito: Small, young dog spoken of affectionately.
mascota: Animal kept by people as a companion.

Definition in Spanish

Significa perro, usado en registros formales, literarios o poéticos; también puede referirse a un perro guardián.

Word origin

Attested from Old Spanish and ultimately from Latin canis, can remains chiefly a literary word in modern Spanish.

Usage tips

  • Encountering can in lyrics or older texts usually indicates a literary register rather than ordinary spoken language.

Other meanings

  • watchdognoun

Related words

  • caninocanineadjective

Word lists with this word