English · Everyday verbs
Sakna in English: Can / be able to (सकना)
can / be able to
Hindi (Devanagari)
सकना
Hindi (English letters)
sakna
सकना (sakna) can be expressed as “can / be able to” in English. For example: “I can speak a little Hindi.”
“sakna” kehna ho, to English mein “can / be able to” use karein. Neeche poore sentences aur Hindi meanings saath diye hain. Context dekhkar apna sentence chunein.
Language ability
I can speak a little Hindi.
मैं थोड़ी हिंदी बोल सकता हूँ।
main thodi hindi bol sakta hoon.
How to pronounce “can / be able to”
Say it in English
kan
This is a sound guide for English, using a common American pronunciation. CAPITAL letters mark the stronger syllable in a longer word. Say the example sentence at a comfortable pace; Hindi spelling does not map sound for sound to English.
can / be able to: Hindi meaning and useful expressions
| English | Hindi meaning | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| can / be able to | सकना sakna The basic verb form; compare the complete expressions below. | The basic verb form; compare the complete expressions below. |
| I can speak a little Hindi. | मैं थोड़ी हिंदी बोल सकता हूँ। main thodi hindi bol sakta hoon. Language ability | Language ability |
| I can't come today, sorry. | आज नहीं आ सकता, माफ़ कीजिए। aaj nahi aa sakta, maaf kijiye. Polite inability | Polite inability |
The dictionary expression is “can / be able to”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
How to use “can / be able to” in English sentences
1. Language ability
I can speak a little Hindi.
मैं थोड़ी हिंदी बोल सकता हूँ।
main thodi hindi bol sakta hoon.
2. Polite inability
I can't come today, sorry.
आज नहीं आ सकता, माफ़ कीजिए।
aaj nahi aa sakta, maaf kijiye.
3. Asking ability
Can you open this window?
क्या आप यह खिड़की खोल सकते हैं?
kya aap yah khidki khol sakte hain?
Common mistakes with “can / be able to”
Instead of
I can speak an little Hindi.
Say this
I can speak a little Hindi.
Choose a or an from the next sound. An goes before a vowel sound; a goes before a consonant sound. Read the corrected phrase as a unit.
Instead of
I can to speak a little Hindi.
Say this
I can speak a little Hindi.
After this modal verb, use the base verb directly. Do not insert to between can, could, will, would, should or must and the next verb.
Checking who can carry a suitcase upstairs
Read both roles. Say the English lines out loud before checking the Hindi meaning.
Partner
Can you lift this bag?
Show Hindi meaning
क्या आप यह बैग उठा सकते हैं?
kya aap yah bag utha sakte hain?
You
Yes. I can lift it.
Show Hindi meaning
हाँ, उठा सकता हूँ।
haan, utha sakta hoon.
Partner
And can you climb the stairs too?
Show Hindi meaning
और सीढ़ियाँ भी चढ़ सकते हैं?
aur seedhiyaan bhi chadh sakte hain?
You
I can climb slowly.
Show Hindi meaning
धीरे-धीरे चढ़ सकता हूँ।
dheere-dheere chadh sakta hoon.
Your turn: use “can / be able to”
Say this in English: आज नहीं आ सकता, माफ़ कीजिए। (aaj nahi aa sakta, maaf kijiye.)
Reveal sample answer
I can't come today, sorry.
आज नहीं आ सकता, माफ़ कीजिए।
aaj nahi aa sakta, maaf kijiye.
Compare your word order with “I can't come today, sorry.” Then use the same pattern to say something about your own day.
Questions about “can / be able to” in English
Sakna ko English mein kya kehte hain?
सकना (sakna) can be expressed as “can / be able to” in English. For example: “I can speak a little Hindi.”
What does “can / be able to” mean in Hindi?
In the sense taught here, “can / be able to” means सकना (sakna). The sentence “I can speak a little Hindi.” shows it in context.
How do I use “can / be able to” in a sentence?
I can't come today, sorry. Hindi meaning: आज नहीं आ सकता, माफ़ कीजिए। (aaj nahi aa sakta, maaf kijiye.). The dictionary expression is “can / be able to”. In a sentence, choose the verb form for the subject and time; the examples show three complete patterns.
What should I watch for when using “can / be able to”?
To is part of an infinitive such as to go, but it does not appear before every English verb. After can, could, will or should, use the base form directly.
