The verb poder is irregular and its stem changes to pued- in most forms (except nosotros and vosotros). It also includes pod- in certain tenses such as the preterite. Poder is followed by an infinitive when expressing what someone can or cannot do.

Usage and Meaning

  1. Ability: Expresses what someone is able to do.
    1. No puedo nadar.* (I can’t swim.)
  1. Permission: Asks for or gives permission.
    1. ¿Puedo entrar?* (May I come in?)
  1. Possibility: Indicates that something is possible.
    1. Puede llover mañana.* (It might rain tomorrow.)

Translate the Spanish sentence 'Puede llover mañana.' into English.


It might rain tomorrow.

'Puede llover mañana.' means 'It might rain tomorrow.' The verb 'poder' here expresses possibility ('may' or 'might'), and 'llover' means 'to rain.'

Complete Conjugation Table

The following includes the most common tenses and moods, with example sentences.
TenseSpanish ExampleEnglish Example
Present IndicativeYo puedo, tú puedes, él puede, nosotros podemos, vosotros podéis, ellos puedenI can, you can, he can, we can, you all can, they can
Preterite IndicativeYo pude, tú pudiste, él pudo, nosotros pudimos, vosotros pudisteis, ellos pudieronI was able, you were able, he was able, we were able, you all were able, they were able
Imperfect IndicativeYo podía, tú podías, él podía, nosotros podíamos, vosotros podíais, ellos podíanI could / was able, used to be able
Future IndicativeYo podré, tú podrás, él podrá, nosotros podremos, vosotros podréis, ellos podránI will be able
ConditionalYo podría, tú podrías, él podría, nosotros podríamos, vosotros podríais, ellos podríanI would be able
Present SubjunctiveYo pueda, tú puedas, él pueda, nosotros podamos, vosotros podáis, ellos puedan(It’s possible) that I can, you can, etc.

Irregular Forms to Remember

  • The stem changes to pued- or pod- depending on tense.
  • In the subjunctive, stem changes to pued- (no change in nosotros/vosotros).

Stem Changes Overview

TenseStem FormExampleEnglish Example
Present Indicativepued- (except nos/vos)Yo puedo, nosotros podemosI can, we can
Present Subjunctivepued- (except nos/vos)Que yo pueda, que nosotros podamosThat I can, that we can
Preteritepod-Yo pude, ellos pudieronI was able, they were able
Imperfect Indicativepod- + ending iaYo podía, tú podíasI was able, you were able
Futurepodr-Yo podré, él podráI will be able, he will be able
Conditionalpodr-Yo podría, ellos podríanI would be able, they would be able

Additional Sentences with Examples

  • No puedo ir al cine. (I can’t go to the movies.)
  • ¿Puedes ayudarme? (Can you help me?)
  • Ella puede cantar muy bien. (She can sing very well.)
  • Podemos salir temprano. (We can leave early.)
  • ¿Pudiste estudiar anoche? (Were you able to study last night?)
  • Poder + infinitive is always used to describe the action you can/do/can’t do.

Complete this sentence: 'Ella puede ______ muy bien.' (sing)


cantar

'Poder' is always followed by the infinitive form of the verb that describes the action. Here, 'cantar' (to sing) is correct.

Flashcards (1 of 12)

  • Tense: Present Indicative
  • English Example: I can, you can, he can, we can, you all can, they can

Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025

Loco