Learn Basic Abilities Vocabulary in English (A1)

Raúl Maguiña

Gründer von Langcom | Prüfer für Cambridge- und SIELE-Prüfungen

Juli 18, 2026

A1📚 Vocabulary⏱️ 3 min read
To talk about what you know how to do or what is possible for you, use the word can in English. This simple word helps you express your skills and talents. For example, if you know how to prepare food, you can say I can cook. If you don’t have a particular skill, use can’t. For instance, I can’t sing. Learning these basic ability verbs and how to use can und can’t is fundamental for A1 English learners. It allows you to share personal information and understand others when they describe their own capabilities.

What Are Abilities?

An ‘ability’ is something you know how to do. It is a skill or a talent.

For example, if you know how to play a sport, that is an ability. If you can speak another language, that is also an ability.

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How to Talk About Abilities: Using Can

In English, we use the word can to talk about abilities. It means ‘to be able to’ or ‘to know how to’.

  • Wir verwenden can with a base verb (the verb without ‘to’).
  • The form of can is the same for all subjects (I, you, he, she, it, we, they).

Look at the structure:

  • Subject + can + base verb

Talking About Things You Can’t Do

If you do not have an ability, or if something is not possible, we use can’t. This is the short form of cannot.

  • Wir verwenden can’t with a base verb.
  • The form of can’t is the same for all subjects.

Look at the structure:

  • Subject + can’t + base verb

Asking About Abilities: Can You…?

To ask someone about their abilities, we put can at the beginning of the question.

Look at the structure:

  • Can + subject + base verb?

For short answers, we say:

  • Yes, I can.
  • No, I can’t.

Common Abilities Vocabulary

Here are some common verbs you can use with can to talk about abilities:

  • swim
  • cook
  • play football
  • paint
  • sing
  • dance
  • speak English
  • drive
  • run
Common Abilities Vocabulary
Verb What it means
swim Move through water using your body.
cook Prepare food by heating it.
play football Participate in the sport of football.
paint Make pictures with paint.
sing Make musical sounds with your voice.
dance Move your body to music.
speak English Communicate using the English language.
drive Operate a car or other vehicle.
run Move quickly on foot.

Beispiele

  • I can swim very fast.
  • She can cook delicious meals.
  • He can’t play football very well.
  • Can you sing? Yes, I can.
  • My brother can dance, but I can’t.
  • They can speak English a little.

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Häufige Fehler bei Spanischsprechern

Spanish speakers sometimes make these mistakes:

  • Using ‘to’ after can: In Spanish, you might say ‘saber hacer’. But in English, we don’t use ‘to’ after can.
    • I can to swim.
    • I can swim.
  • Incorrect negative form: Remember that can’t is the correct negative.
    • He no can sing.
    • He can’t sing.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What is an ability in English?

An ability is a skill or something you know how to do, like swim oder cook.

How do I say ‘I can’ in English?

You say I can followed by the base form of the verb, for example, I can paint.

What is the difference between can und can’t?

Can means you have the ability to do something. Can’t means you do not have the ability, or it is not possible.

Can I use can for other things?

Ja, can can also be used to ask for or give permission, like Can I sit here? But for A1, focus on abilities first!

Über den Autor: Raúl Maguiña

Raúl Maguiña ist Leiter der Asociación Educativa Langcom, einem autorisierten Cambridge English-Vorbereitungszentrum in USA. Mit mehr als einem Jahrzehnt Erfahrung in der Sprachausbildung und der internationalen Zertifizierung hat er Tausenden von Schülern, Lehrern und Bildungseinrichtungen in 25 Ländern zu Cambridge-, IELTS-, TOEFL- und Michigan-Englischzertifikaten verholfen.

Erfahren Sie mehr über Langcom →.

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