Spanish · Everyday Verbs
"can (to be able to)" in Spanish: poder
poder
Note: to know how: saber
Can (to be able to) in Spanish is poder. Say yo puedo and ¿Puedes ayudarme? Knowing how is usually saber, not poder.
Permission
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How to pronounce poder
Say it
poh-DEHR / PWEH-doh / PWEH-dehs
/po.ˈðeɾ/
poh-DEHR. Yo puedo is PWEH-doh. Tú puedes is PWEH-dehs.
"can (to be able to)" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| poder | to be able to / may Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| yo puedo | I can / may I Ability or permission. | Ability or permission. |
| tú puedes | you can / can you Requests and ability. | Requests and ability. |
| no puedo | I can't Refusal or inability. | Refusal or inability. |
| ¿puedo…? | may I…? Permission. | Permission. |
How to use poder in real life
- 1Permission
¿Puedo abrir la ventana un poco?
Can I open the window a little?
¿Puedo…? for may I.
- 2Ability
Hoy no puedo manejar después del remedio.
Today I can't drive after the medicine.
No puedo + infinitive.
- 3Polite request
¿Puedes ayudarme con las maletas?
Can you help me with the bags?
¿Puedes…?
Mistakes English speakers make with poder
Incorrect: Yo saber nadar (for can right now).
Correct: Yo puedo nadar. / Yo sé nadar.
Poder is can/be able now; saber is know how.
Incorrect: Yo poder ir ahora.
Correct: Yo puedo ir ahora.
Conjugate: yo puedo (o→ue).
Good to know
Good to know¿Puedo…? opens doors politely. ¿Puedes…? softens requests. For skills like languages, prefer sé / sabe (saber) unless you mean allowed or possible right now. Use ustedes pueden, not vosotros.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Borrowing a charger
ChatPal
¿Puedes prestarme el cargador?
Can you lend me the charger?
You
Puedo, sí. Está en la bolsa azul.
I can, yes. It's in the blue bag.
ChatPal
Gracias. ¿Puedo devolverlo mañana?
Thanks. Can I return it tomorrow?
You
Claro. Sin prisa.
Sure. No rush.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"can (to be able to)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "can (to be able to)" in Spanish
Poder vs saber?
Poder = can / may / be able. Saber = know how.
How do I ask permission?
¿Puedo…?
How do I say I can't?
No puedo.
Why puedo not podo?
Present o→ue: puedo, puedes, puede, pueden.
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