podríamos
/poh-DREE-ah-mohs/
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Podríamos ir a la playa este fin de semana.
A2We could go to the beach this weekend.
Si tuviéramos un coche, podríamos viajar más.
B1If we had a car, we would be able to travel more.
¿Podríamos ver el menú, por favor?
A2Could we see the menu, please?
Creo que podríamos terminar el proyecto mañana.
B1I think we could finish the project tomorrow.
💡 Grammar Points
Making Gentle Suggestions
Use 'podríamos' to suggest something in a friendly, polite way. It's like saying 'we could...' in English, which sounds much softer than a direct command.
Talking About 'What Ifs'
'Podríamos' is perfect for talking about what you would be able to do if the situation were different. It often appears in sentences that start with 'si' (if).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Podemos' vs. 'Podríamos'
Mistake: "To suggest going to the movies: 'Podemos ir al cine.'"
Correction: Use 'Podríamos ir al cine.' While 'podemos' means 'we can' (it's possible), 'podríamos' means 'we could' (it's a suggestion). Using 'podríamos' is much more natural and polite when proposing an idea.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Ultimate Polite Request
When asking for something in a restaurant, shop, or any service situation, starting with '¿Podríamos...?' is extremely polite. For example, '¿Podríamos tener un poco más de pan?' (Could we have a little more bread?).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: podríamos
Question 1 of 1
You want to politely suggest to a friend that you both study together. What's the best way to say it?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'podríamos' the same as 'pudiéramos'?
They are different! Use 'podríamos' for things 'we could' or 'would' do (a real possibility or suggestion). 'Pudiéramos' is a special form used after certain triggers, like in 'if' sentences: 'Si pudiéramos volar, viajaríamos más rápido' (If we were able to fly, we would travel faster). 'Podríamos' is much more common in everyday conversation.
Can I just say 'podemos' to make a suggestion?
You can, but it might not sound like a suggestion. 'Podemos ir' means 'We can go' (it's possible for us to go). 'Podríamos ir' means 'We could go' (I'm suggesting we go). For making friendly suggestions, 'podríamos' is almost always the better choice.