Poder + Infinitive (Can/Be Able)

The verb poder + infinitive expresses three distinct but related ideas: ability (can do), permission (may do), and possibility (might do). It corresponds to English "can", "be able to", "may", and "might", depending on context.

Poder is highly irregular and one of the most frequent verbs in Spanish. It's stem-changing (o → ue) in the present and has irregular preterite and future stems.

Formation

Conjugate poder in any tense and add an infinitive directly—no preposition is needed.

SubjectPoder (present)
  • Infinitive
yopuedopuedo hablar español
túpuedespuedes hablar español
él/ella/ustedpuedepuede hablar español
nosotrospodemospodemos hablar español
ustedes/ellospuedenpueden hablar español

Puedo hablar español y un poco de portugués.

I can speak Spanish and a little Portuguese.

¿Puedes ayudarme con esta tarea?

Can you help me with this assignment?

Three Meanings of Poder

The same verb covers three nuances that English usually separates:

1. Ability ("can", "be able to")

Mi abuela puede caminar sin bastón.

My grandmother can walk without a cane.

2. Permission ("may", "can")

¿Puedo pasar al baño?

May I go to the bathroom?

3. Possibility ("might", "could")

Puede llover esta tarde.

It might rain this afternoon.

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For a stronger sense of "might / may", you can use the construction puede que + subjunctive. Puede que llueva esta tarde ("it might rain this afternoon") is a very common way to express uncertainty about the future.

Polite Requests

The conditional podría + infinitive softens requests into polite forms, like English "could you...?".

DirectPolite
¿Puedes pasarme la sal?¿Podrías pasarme la sal?
Can you pass me the salt?Could you pass me the salt?

¿Podría usted repetir la pregunta, por favor?

Could you repeat the question, please?

Past Tense Nuances

Poder in the preterite vs. imperfect shifts meaning in a subtle but important way:

  • Pude + infinitive (preterite) — I managed to... / I was able to (and did).
  • Podía + infinitive (imperfect) — I could / was able to (without specifying whether the action happened).

Finalmente pude abrir la puerta.

I finally managed to open the door.

Cuando era niño, podía correr muy rápido.

When I was a child, I could run very fast.

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The preterite no pude means "I couldn't (and didn't)", implying a failed attempt. The imperfect no podía simply describes a general inability, without suggesting a specific attempt. No pude dormir = "I couldn't fall asleep (last night)". No podía dormir = "I was unable to sleep (in general during that period)".

Negative Forms

No poder expresses inability, prohibition, or refusal, depending on context:

No puedo ir a la fiesta porque estoy enfermo.

I can't go to the party because I'm sick.

Aquí no se puede fumar.

You can't smoke here.

With Object Pronouns

Object pronouns go before poder or attach to the infinitive:

Lo puedo hacer. / Puedo hacerlo.

I can do it.

Compare with deber + infinitive for obligation or recommendation, and soler + infinitive for habitual actions.

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