He was able to translate the article without a dictionary.
他可以不用词典翻译那篇文章。
Can表示一贯的能力 ，be able to表示客观能力和通过努力可以达到的能力
I can’t swim. But I am sure I will be able to swim through more practicing.
The fire spread through the hotel, but everyone was able to get out
When the boat sank he was able to swim to the bank
