How To Pronounce “can”

“can” is a function word, so it has more than one pronunciation. In normal connected speech the weak form is usual. The strong form is used when the word is stressed, said on its own or at the end of a phrase.

Strong form. In British English it is /kæn/, and in American English it is /kæn/. It is used in isolation, at the end of speech, or for emphasis or contrast.

Weak form. In British English it is /kən/, and in American English it is /kən/. It is used in connected speech.

Noun (a metal container). In British English it is /kæn/, and in American English it is /kæn/. It is used as a noun, with no weak form.

Slashes / / show the phonemic transcription, the sounds that change meaning. Square brackets [ ] show the phonetic transcription, with the finer detail of how the sounds are actually made.