pudiera
/poo-dye-RAH/
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Si yo pudiera elegir, viajaría por todo el mundo.
B1If I could choose, I would travel all over the world.
No creí que él pudiera llegar a tiempo.
B2I didn't think he could arrive on time.
¿Pudiera traerme un vaso de agua, por favor?
B1Could you bring me a glass of water, please? (very polite)
Ojalá pudiera ir a la fiesta contigo.
B1I wish I could go to the party with you.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'What If' Verb Form
'Pudiera' is a special form of 'poder' (to be able to) used for situations that aren't real, like wishes or 'what if' scenarios. You'll often see it after 'si' (if).
Making Polite Requests
Using 'pudiera' to ask for something sounds very polite and a little more formal. It's like saying 'Would it be possible for you to...' instead of just 'Can you...'
Two Forms, One Meaning: pudiera vs. pudiese
You might also see or hear 'pudiese'. Don't worry! 'Pudiera' and 'pudiese' mean the exact same thing and you can use them interchangeably.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'podía' instead of 'pudiera'
Mistake: "Si yo podía, te ayudaría."
Correction: Say 'si yo pudiera, te ayudaría.' After 'si' (if) in these 'what if' sentences, you need the special '-ra' form, not the regular past form 'podía'.
Confusing 'pudiera' and 'podría'
Mistake: "Me gustaría si podría ir."
Correction: Say 'Me gustaría si pudiera ir.' Use 'pudiera' for the 'if' part of the sentence (the condition) and 'podría' for the 'then' part (the result). For example: 'Si pudiera (if), podría (then)...'
⭐ Usage Tips
Sound More Natural with 'Ojalá'
A very common and natural-sounding phrase is 'Ojalá pudiera...' which means 'I wish I could...' or 'If only I could...'. It's a great way to express a strong desire for something that is unlikely or impossible.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pudiera
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'pudiera' to express a wish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'pudiera' and 'podría'?
Think of it like 'if' and 'then'. 'Pudiera' is for the 'if' part of a hypothetical sentence (the condition): 'Si PUDIERA...' (If I could...). 'Podría' is for the 'then' part (the result): '...PODRÍA viajar' (...I would travel). 'Pudiera' sets up the dream, and 'podría' describes what would happen in that dream.
Is 'pudiera' only for the past?
Not really. Even though it's called the 'past' or 'imperfect' subjunctive, it's most often used to talk about unreal situations in the present or future, like wishes ('Ojalá pudiera ir') or hypotheticals ('Si pudiera, lo haría').
Who uses 'pudiera'? Does it mean 'I could' or 'he/she could'?
Both! 'Pudiera' is the form for 'yo' (I), 'él' (he), 'ella' (she), and 'usted' (you, formal). You can tell who the speaker is talking about from the rest of the sentence. For example, 'Si yo pudiera...' (If I could...) vs. 'Si ella pudiera...' (If she could...).