Can you imagine Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈkæn/, /kən/ /ˈju/ /ˌɪˈmædʒən

KAN-yoo i-MAJ-in, kuhn-yoo i-MAJ-in

UK

kˈæn/ /jˈuː/ /ɪmˈædʒɪn

kan-YOO im-AJ-in

Definition

This expression is used to ask someone to try to picture or understand a situation or scenario, often something surprising, unusual, or difficult to believe.

Usage & Nuances

Common in casual speech to express surprise or disbelief. Often used rhetorically before describing an unusual event. Can be followed by details, e.g., 'Can you imagine living there?' Not usually used in very formal writing.

• Spanish: ¿puedes imaginar? - ¿te imaginas?
• Portuguese (BR): você consegue imaginar? - dá para imaginar?
• Portuguese (PT): consegues imaginar? - consegues imaginar-te?
• Chinese (Simplified): 你能想象吗？
• Chinese (Traditional): 你能想像嗎？
• Hindi: क्या तुम कल्पना कर सकते हो?
• Arabic: هل يمكنك أن تتخيل؟
• Bengali: তুমি কি কল্পনা করতে পারো - তুমি কি ভাবতে পারো
• Russian: ты можешь представить себе - представляешь
• Japanese: 想像できる - 考えられる
• Vietnamese: bạn có thể tưởng tượng - thử tưởng tượng
• Korean: 상상할 수 있어 - 생각해 봐
• Turkish: hayal edebiliyor musun - düşünebiliyor musun
• Urdu: تم تصور کر سکتے ہو - تم سوچ سکتے ہو
• Indonesian: bisa kamu bayangkan - coba bayangkan

Example Sentences

Can you imagine life without the internet?

basic

Can you imagine how cold it is at the North Pole?

basic

Can you imagine doing this every day?

basic

She lost her keys again—can you imagine?

natural

Can you imagine what would happen if we all forgot our homework?

natural

He spent a week in the desert alone. Can you imagine?

natural