A high quality storybook illustration showing two joyful children holding hands and standing triumphantly on top of a tall, colorful stack of building blocks, symbolizing collective ability and success.

podamos

po-DA-mos

VerbA2irregular er

we can?Expressing possibility, ability, or wishes.

Also:we may be able to?Used after phrases showing purpose, like 'so that...',we may?Expressing permission or hope.

Quick Reference

infinitivepoder

gerundpudiendo

past Participlepodido

📝 In Action

Ojalá podamos ir a la fiesta.

Hopefully we can go to the party.

El profesor nos dio más tiempo para que podamos terminar el proyecto.

The teacher gave us more time so that we can finish the project.

Es posible que no podamos llegar hasta mañana.

It's possible that we won't be able to arrive until tomorrow.

¡Que podamos celebrar juntos muchos años más!

May we be able to celebrate together for many more years!

Word Connections

Common Collocations

para que podamos – so that we can
espero que podamos – I hope that we can
ojalá podamos – hopefully we can
antes de que podamos – before we can

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Wishing and Hoping' Verb Form (Subjunctive)

'Podamos' is a special form of 'poder' (to be able to) used after phrases that express doubt, desire, or possibility, like 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'es posible que' (it's possible that). It signals that what you're saying isn't a sure thing.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Podemos' Instead of 'Podamos'

Mistake: "Espero que podemos ir al cine."

Correction: Espero que **podamos** ir al cine. After a 'wishing' phrase like 'espero que', the verb needs to change to this special form. 'Podemos' is for stating facts, like 'Sabemos que podemos ir' (We know we can go).

⭐ Usage Tips

Use 'Para que podamos' for Purpose

A super common and useful combo is 'para que podamos...' which means 'so that we can...' or 'in order for us to be able to...'. Example: 'Salgamos ahora para que podamos llegar a tiempo.' (Let's leave now so that we can arrive on time).

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedpuede

yopuedo

túpuedes

ellos/ellas/ustedespueden

nosotrospodemos

vosotrospodéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpodía

yopodía

túpodías

ellos/ellas/ustedespodían

nosotrospodíamos

vosotrospodíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedpudo

yopude

túpudiste

ellos/ellas/ustedespudieron

nosotrospudimos

vosotrospudisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedpueda

yopueda

túpuedas

ellos/ellas/ustedespuedan

nosotrospodamos

vosotrospodáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpudiera

yopudiera

túpudieras

ellos/ellas/ustedespudieran

nosotrospudiéramos

vosotrospudierais

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: podamos

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'podamos'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

poder(to be able to; can) - verb

poder(power) - noun

poderoso(powerful) - adjective

potencia(power, potential, strength) - noun

posible(possible) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'podemos' and 'podamos'?

Great question! 'Podemos' states a fact: 'Podemos hablar español' (We can speak Spanish). It's a certainty. 'Podamos' expresses a hope, doubt, or wish: 'Espero que podamos hablar' (I hope we can talk). You use 'podamos' after trigger phrases like 'espero que', 'ojalá', or 'es posible que'.

Is 'podamos' a command?

Yes, it can be! It's the 'let's...' command form for 'poder'. For example, if you're brainstorming with a team, you might say '¡Que podamos encontrar una solución!' which is like saying 'Let's be able to find a solution!' or 'May we find a solution!'. It's a way to express a shared goal.