Podem empatar la partida.

Podem is the 1st person plural present tense form of poder, which means to be able to / can.

So:

• poder = to be able to
• podem = we can

In this sentence, podem tells you the subject is we, even though nosaltres is not written.

Catalan often drops subject pronouns when they are not needed, because the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

So:

• Podem empatar la partida.
• Nosaltres podem empatar la partida.

Both are correct, but the version without nosaltres is more natural in many contexts.

You would add nosaltres only for emphasis, contrast, or clarity.

Because after poder in Catalan, you normally use another verb in the infinitive.

So the pattern is:

• podem + infinitive

Here:

• podem = we can
• empatar = tie / draw / equalize

This works much like English can + base verb:

• We can win
• We can draw
• We can tie the game

Catalan does not conjugate the second verb here:

• Podem empatar... = correct
• Podem empatem... = incorrect

Here empatar means to tie, to draw, or to level the score.

Depending on context, it can mean:

• to make the score equal
• to end in a draw
• to catch up so that neither side is ahead

In games or sports, empatar is very common.

For example:

• Hem empatat. = We tied / We drew.
• Podem empatar. = We can tie it / We can draw level.

It does not mean tying a knot or tying shoelaces.

La partida usually means the game, the round, or the match/session of play, depending on context.

It is especially common for things like:

• card games
• chess
• board games
• a particular game being played

So la partida is the specific game being talked about.

In other contexts, Catalan might use other words:

• el joc = the game in a more general sense
• el partit = the match, especially in sports
• la partida = a game/session/round, often a specific one

Because Catalan often uses the definite article when talking about a specific thing already known in the conversation.

So la partida means the game, not just a game.

In this sentence, it sounds like both speakers already know which game is being discussed. That is why la is natural.

Compare:

• Podem empatar la partida. = We can tie the game.
• Podem empatar una partida. = We can tie a game.
  This sounds more general or less tied to a specific situation.

This is the normal, neutral Catalan order:

• verb
  • infinitive
    • object

Breaking it down:

• Podem = we can
• empatar = tie / draw
• la partida = the game

So the structure is very straightforward.

Catalan can sometimes change word order for emphasis, but this version is the standard one.

Yes. With different punctuation and intonation, it could become a question:

• Podem empatar la partida?

That would mean Can we tie the game?

Without the question mark, it is a statement:

• Podem empatar la partida. = We can tie the game.

So in writing, the punctuation tells you which one it is.

Yes, this is normal. Empatar can be used with a direct object referring to the game or match:

• empatar la partida
• empatar el partit

It can also appear without an object if the context is obvious:

• Podem empatar. = We can tie / draw.

So both are possible:

• Podem empatar.
• Podem empatar la partida.

The version with la partida is just more explicit.

A rough pronunciation is:

po-DEM em-pa-TAR luh par-TEE-duh

A few useful points:

• podem is stressed on the second syllable: po-DEM
• empatar is stressed on the last syllable: em-pa-TAR
• partida is stressed on -ti-: par-TI-da

In many varieties of Catalan, some unstressed vowels sound more reduced than an English speaker might expect, especially in Central Catalan.

This is a very common vocabulary question.

• partida is often used for a game/session/round, especially in chess, cards, board games, and similar activities.
• partit is more often a sports match.

So:

• una partida d’escacs = a chess game
• un partit de futbol = a football/soccer match

That said, usage can depend on context, but this is the most helpful general rule for learners.