poder
power
In Spanish, 'poder' is used to represent 'power'. It can be used in a variety of contexts like 'he has the power to change this' which translates to 'él tiene el poder de cambiar esto'. Furthermore, 'poder' can also imply ability or possibility, in cases similar to the English 'can' or 'be able to'. For instance, 'yo puedo' would mean 'I can' or 'I am able to' in English.
Example sentences using: poder
Ellos no pueden venir
They can't come
Here, the word 'pueden' indicates the ability (or lack thereof, due to 'no') of a group to attend an event.
¿Puedo ir al baño?
Can I go to the bathroom?
In this question, 'puedo' is used to ask for permission to leave the current location.
No puedo creerlo
I can't believe it
In this sentence, 'puedo' is used to express disbelief or surprise about something.
Podría haberlo hecho
I could have done it
This sentence uses 'podría', the conditional form of 'poder', to express regret about a past action.
Yo puedo hacerlo
I can do it
This sentence is using the word 'puede' to express the ability to accomplish a task in Spanish. 'Puede' is the first person singular form of the verb 'poder', which means 'to be able'.
Podemos aprender juntos
We can learn together
In this sentence, 'podemos' is used to propose a collaborative action between the speaker and the listener.
¿Qué podemos hacer ahora?
What can we do now?
This question uses 'podemos' to ask for suggestions about possible actions in the present.
Podríamos ir al cine
We could go to the movies
Here, 'podríamos' is used to suggest a possible future action.
¿Podemos hablar después?
Can we talk later?
This question uses 'podemos' to propose a conversation at a later time.
No podré ir mañana
I won't be able to go tomorrow
In this sentence, 'podré' is used to express a future inability to perform an action.