A simplified storybook scene showing a child standing at the bottom of a gentle green hill, holding a walking stick, symbolizing potential and ability.

pudieras

poo-DYAIR-ahs

Verb (Conjugated Form)B2irregular (stem-changing) er

you could?polite request or hypothetical situation (tú),you might be able to?expressing possibility or doubt (tú)

Also:if you were able to?used in 'if' clauses (tú)

Quick Reference

infinitivepoder

gerundpudiendo

past Participlepodido

📝 In Action

¿Tú crees que pudieras ayudarme con esta caja?

Do you think you could help me with this box?

Si pudieras viajar a cualquier lugar, ¿a dónde irías?

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

No sabía que pudieras hablar tan bien el francés.

I didn't know that you were able to speak French so well.

Word Connections

Synonyms

podrías (you could (conditional))
fuera posible (if it were possible)

Common Collocations

Si pudieras – If you could
Me gustaría que pudieras – I would like you to be able to

💡 Grammar Points

Part of the Imperfect Subjunctive

This form ('pudieras') is the 'tú' conjugation of the Imperfect Subjunctive of 'poder.' You use this special verb form when talking about past actions, wishes, or hypothetical situations that are uncertain or contrary to fact.

Politeness Booster

Using 'pudieras' instead of the Conditional 'podrías' (you could) makes a request sound much softer and more formal, especially in parts of Latin America. It's great for being extra polite!

Two Forms, Same Meaning

The Imperfect Subjunctive has two correct forms: the -ra form ('pudieras') and the -se form ('pudieses'). They mean the same thing, so you can choose the one you hear most often where you live.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing with the Conditional

Mistake: "Si pudieras, irías."

Correction: Si pudieras, irías. (This is correct!) The mistake is trying to use the Indicative. Remember that 'pudieras' sets up the hypothetical 'if' part, and the Conditional ('irías') handles the result.

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'If... Then...' Pattern

Always remember the pattern: 'Si + Imperfect Subjunctive (pudieras) + Conditional (podrías)'. This is the key structure for talking about impossible or unlikely situations.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: pudieras

Question 1 of 2

Which English phrase best captures the meaning of 'Si pudieras venir mañana...'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

poder(to be able to, power) - verb/noun

podríamos(we could (conditional)) - verb

posible(possible) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pudieras' the same as 'pudieses'?

Yes, they are exactly the same in meaning and usage. Spanish has two equally correct forms for the imperfect subjunctive, the one ending in '-ra' (pudieras) and the one ending in '-se' (pudieses). Choose whichever feels most natural or common in your area.

Why is 'pudieras' used for polite requests when it’s a past tense?

Using a past or hypothetical form like 'pudieras' or the conditional 'podrías' creates distance from the present reality. This distance makes the request sound less demanding and more tentative, which signals respect and politeness.