Inklingo
A strong, smiling figure effortlessly lifting a giant, brightly colored barbell high above their head, demonstrating great physical capacity.

poder Present Conjugation

poderto be able to

A1irregular -er★★★★★
Quick answer:

Poder is an o-to-ue stem-changer: puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, podéis, pueden.

poder Present Forms

yopuedo
puedes
él/ella/ustedpuede
nosotrospodemos
vosotrospodéis
ellos/ellas/ustedespueden

When to Use the Present

Use the present tense to talk about current abilities, permission, or to ask if someone is capable of doing something right now.

Notes on poder in the Present

This is a 'boot verb.' The 'o' changes to 'ue' in all forms except nosotros and vosotros.

Example Sentences

  • Yo puedo hablar un poco de español.

    I can speak a little Spanish.

    yo

  • ¿Podemos entrar ahora?

    Can we come in now?

    nosotros

  • Ustedes pueden sentarse aquí.

    You all can sit here.

    ellos/ellas/ustedes

Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Saying 'yo podo' or 'nosotros puedemos'.

    Correct: yo puedo / nosotros podemos

    Why: The stem change only happens when the syllable is stressed. It is 'ue' in the 'boot' forms and 'o' in nosotros/vosotros.

Master Spanish verbs in context

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