Meaning
Esta expresión se emplea cuando una situación o acción es tan sorprendente, complicada o fuera de lo común, que uno no puede formarse una imagen clara de ella en su mente. Por ejemplo, si alguien logra un gran logro que parece increíble, podrías decir: «I can't imagine how lograste escalar esa montaña sin ayuda». Aquí, la expresión comunica sorpresa y admiración por la hazaña.
Además, «I can't imagine how» puede transmitir empatía o simpatía. Si un amigo está pasando por una situación difícil, podrías usar esta frase para mostrar que comprendes que es una situación complicada, aunque no puedas entender completamente su experiencia. Por ejemplo: «I can't imagine how te sientes después de esa noticia».
En resumen, «I can't imagine how» es una forma de expresar que algo es tan sorprendente o complejo que escapa a nuestra capacidad de comprensión. Se utiliza tanto para admirar logros impresionantes como para mostrar empatía en situaciones difíciles. Es una herramienta útil para comunicar emociones profundas en inglés.
Today's Sentences
- I can’t imagine how busy you are.
- I can’t imagine how angry you felt.
- I can’t imagine how sad you must be.
- I can’t imagine how much you miss him.
- I can’t imagine how painful it must have been.
- Writer's Note
01
I can’t imagine how busy you are.
Situation 1
Are you still at work?
Yes, I think I’ll be here for a while.
I can’t imagine how busy you are.
I hope you can squeeze in a meal.
Espero que puedas encontrar tiempo para una comida.
I’m just going to grab a bit now.
I’ll call you on my way home.
Te llamaré de camino a casa.
Situation 2
How have you and your family been?
We've been doing well.
It’s been a little stressful balancing work and the kids.
Ha sido un poco estresante equilibrar el trabajo y los niños.
I can’t imagine how busy you are.
Hopefully we can fit in a getaway when the kids go on break.
02
I can’t imagine how angry you felt.
Situation 1
So the environment agency never responded to my email.
Wasn’t the oil spill a serious issue?
It’s been a while.
Ha pasado un tiempo.
I might have given them a call but it’s unlikely that they would have acted on it.
I can’t imagine how angry you felt and how angry the community must have been.
Situation 2
My girlfriend’s parents were against our marriage.
Why?
I think it was because of my religion.
Of all things, I can’t imagine how angry you felt.
03
I can’t imagine how sad you must be.
Situation 1
How are you doing?
I’m doing better.
I’m still in shock with what happened.
Todavía estoy en shock por lo que pasó.
I can’t imagine how sad you must be.
Losing someone so special without notice, I’m so sorry.
Perder a alguien tan especial sin previo aviso, lo siento mucho.
Life goes on, I’m still adjusting to a new life but I'm sure it'll get better over time.
Situation 2
I can’t imagine how sad you must be.
She was with me for 15 years.
My cat is 9 years old and I can’t imagine my days without her.
Pets are truly a part of our family.
They give us such comfort and love.
Nos brindan tanto confort y amor.
04
I can’t imagine how much you miss him.
Situation 1
Will you get another dog?
I don’t know if I really want to raise another dog yet.
I can’t imagine how much you miss him.
I have a feeling I may never recover from this sadness.
Situation 2
I can’t imagine how much you miss him.
I loved my grandfather.
We used to call him Pop Pop.
Solíamos llamarlo Pop Pop.
You must have been close with him.
Yes, we used to cook together and he would read books to me at night.
05
I can’t imagine how painful it must have been.
Situation 1
I brought you some soup.
Thank you so much.
How is your leg?
I can’t imagine how painful it must have been.
No puedo imaginar lo doloroso que debe haber sido.
I’m doing much better.
I won’t lie though, it was really painful before the surgery.
Sin embargo, no voy a mentir, fue realmente doloroso antes de la cirugía.
Situation 2
How are you doing after the accident?
I’m doing much better.
I’ve been going to physiotherapy for a few months now.
He estado yendo a fisioterapia durante algunos meses.
I can’t imagine how painful it must have been.
Learning how to navigate with a prosthetic leg has been an obstacle.
Writer's Note
What kind of situations have you experienced that were shocking or unbelievable? What kind of life events have you gone through that were anticipated or unanticipated? At any point in our lives, young or old, we go through certain life events that are worth celebrating and some that make us sad and grieve. We usually use the phrase "I can't imagine" to express sympathy and give someone a chance to share their emotions.
When I lost my father to cancer, a lot of people sent their regards by saying:
- I can't imagine the pain you're going through. I'm so sorry for your loss.
- I can't imagine losing a family member so suddenly. You'll get through this.
- I can't imagine losing my dad. You must be going through so much right now.
- I can't imagine the weight of the situation. Please know that I'm here for you.
A phrase similar to "I can't imagine" is "I can only imagine". This phrase is used to express empathy with someone's feelings without claiming to know exactly what they are feeling. It allows the person to share what they are feeling at the moment. When you haven’t experienced the circumstances in question, one finds the very concept beyond one's powers of imagination.
- I can only imagine what you and your family are going through.
- I can only imagine the pain you are feeling. My thoughts go out to you.
- I can only imagine the shock and disbelief that you must be feeling.
- I can only imagine the severity of the situation.
They seem similar but it would be wise NOT to use the phrase I can only imagine regarding a death. It would be more polite and kind to express sympathy or regret through "I can't imagine".
