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podrían

poh-DREE-ahn/poˈðɾi.an/

they could

Also: you could, they would be able to
VerbB1irregular er
Two cartoon children standing on a riverbank, happily pulling a sturdy wooden boat toward them, symbolizing that they now have the ability (they could) cross the river.
infinitivepoder
gerundpudiendo
past Participlepodido

📝 In Action

Si tuvieran más tiempo, podrían visitar el museo.

B1

If they had more time, they could visit the museum.

Con un buen mapa, podrían encontrar el camino fácilmente.

B1

With a good map, they could find the way easily.

Creo que ellos podrían ganar el partido.

A2

I think that they could win the game.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • podrían ayudar – they could help
  • podrían ser – they could be
  • podrían estar equivocados – they could be wrong

could you

Also: could they
VerbA2irregular erformal
A person formally requesting assistance from two other people who are standing ready to help them move a stack of heavy boxes.
infinitivepoder
gerundpudiendo
past Participlepodido

📝 In Action

¿Podrían ayudarme con estas cajas, por favor?

A2

Could you help me with these boxes, please?

Disculpen, ¿podrían decirme dónde está la estación?

A2

Excuse me, could you tell me where the station is?

Ustedes podrían esperar en la sala de juntas.

B1

You all could wait in the conference room.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • ¿Podrían decirme...? – Could you tell me...?
  • ¿Podrían traerme...? – Could you bring me...?

🔄 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 →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "podrían" in Spanish:

could they→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: podrían

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'podrían' to talk about a hypothetical situation?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
haríandiríanvendrían
📚 Etymology▼

'Podrían' comes from the base verb 'poder'. This verb grew out of the Latin word 'posse', which meant 'to be able'. The ending '-ían' is a clue that it's a conditional form, which in older Spanish was formed by attaching the entire verb 'haber' to the end of another verb.

First recorded: The conditional tense developed during the transition from Latin to Spanish, solidifying around the 12th-13th centuries.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: poderiamItalian: potrebberoFrench: pourraient

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'podían' and 'podrían'?

The little 'r' makes a big difference! 'Podían' (with no 'r') is for the past; it means 'they were able to' or 'they could' do something repeatedly or over a period of time. 'Podrían' (with the 'r') is for hypothetical situations; it means 'they would be able to' or 'they could' do something if conditions were right. One is about the real past, the other is about a possible future or present.

Is 'podrían' only for 'they'?

No, it's also the form for 'ustedes', which means 'you all' (formal or informal depending on the region). So, '¿Podrían ayudarme?' means 'Could you all help me?'.