'Podrían' is part of a verb form called the conditional. You use it to talk about things that *could* or *would* happen, often if another condition is met. It's for possibilities, not certainties.

The 'What If' Verb Form

Use 'podrían' when you think something is possible but not guaranteed. It's a gentler, less certain way of talking about the future than saying 'van a' (they are going to).

Softer than 'Will'

Extremely common. Essential for expressing possibilities.

Being Too Direct: 'Pueden' vs. 'Podrían'

Starting a question with '¿Podrían...?' is one of the most common and effective ways to sound polite when asking a group of people (or someone you call 'usted') for a favor.

The Polite Way to Ask

'Podrían' is the go-to form when you are speaking to more than one person, or to anyone you would address with the formal 'ustedes' (you all).

Use with 'Ustedes'

A very common and important way to be polite.

Learn the meaning of 'podrían' in Spanish. See examples of how to use it for polite requests ('could you') and hypothetical situations ('they could'), and view the full conjugation of its base verb 'poder'.

podrían

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

preterite

imperfect

future

conditional

subjunctive

present

imperfect

imperative

affirmative

negative

Practice Conjugations