Poder Conjugation: Present, Preterite, Imperfect
poder — to be able to, can
Poder is 'can' — the verb behind every request ('¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?'). It boot-changes in the present (puedo/puedes, podemos) and has a u-stem preterite (pude). Watch the preterite's meaning shift: 'pude' means you managed to, not just could.
Quick answer
Yo puedo.
I can / I am able to.
Present "yo" form. Full present: puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, podéis, pueden. Preterite: pude, pudiste, pudo, pudimos, pudisteis, pudieron.
poder — Present
Ability or permission now: '¿Puedo entrar?' — may I come in?
| Pronoun | Spanish form |
|---|---|
| yo | puedo |
| tú | puedes |
| él / ella / usted | puede |
| nosotros | podemos |
| vosotros | podéis |
| ellos / ustedes | pueden |
poder — Preterite (past, completed)
A completed ability — you managed to: 'Pude hablar español' — I managed to speak Spanish.
| Pronoun | Spanish form |
|---|---|
| yo | pude |
| tú | pudiste |
| él / ella / usted | pudo |
| nosotros | pudimos |
| vosotros | pudisteis |
| ellos / ustedes | pudieron |
poder — Imperfect (past, ongoing)
General past ability: 'Podía nadar' — I could (used to be able to) swim.
| Pronoun | Spanish form |
|---|---|
| yo | podía |
| tú | podías |
| él / ella / usted | podía |
| nosotros | podíamos |
| vosotros | podíais |
| ellos / ustedes | podían |
Poder's preterite trap: could vs managed to
'Podía hablar' = I could speak (general ability in the past). 'Pude hablar' = I managed to speak (a specific completed success — often against difficulty). If you're narrating one moment where you succeeded (or failed: no pude), use the preterite.
Example sentences
¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?
Can I pay by card?
PWEH-doh pah-GAHR kohn tar-HEH-tah
No pude dormir.
I couldn't (manage to) sleep.
noh POO-deh dohr-MEER
De niño podía correr mucho.
As a child I could run a lot.
deh NEE-nyoh poh-DEE-ah koh-RREHR MOO-choh
Don't just read it — say it
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