Inklingo

pudiese

poo-DYAY-say/puˈðjese/

pudiese means could in Spanish (past possibility or hypothetical situation).

could, might be able to

Also: were able to
VerbB1irregular er
A simple storybook illustration of a small child standing at a clear fork in a grassy path, looking down one direction, symbolizing potential and choice.
infinitivepoder
gerundpudiendo
past Participlepodido

📝 In Action

Si yo pudiese viajar, iría a Japón.

B1

If I could travel, I would go to Japan.

Ella dudaba que él pudiese terminar el proyecto a tiempo.

B2

She doubted that he would be able to finish the project on time.

Me gustaría que usted pudiese venir a la reunión.

B2

I would like it if you could come to the meeting (formal).

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • imposibilitar (to make impossible)

Common Collocations

  • si pudieseif I/he/she could
  • ojalá pudieseI wish I could

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedpuede
yopuedo
puedes
ellos/ellas/ustedespueden
nosotrospodemos
vosotrospodéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpodía
yopodía
podías
ellos/ellas/ustedespodían
nosotrospodíamos
vosotrospodíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedpudo
yopude
pudiste
ellos/ellas/ustedespudieron
nosotrospudimos
vosotrospudisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedpueda
yopueda
puedas
ellos/ellas/ustedespuedan
nosotrospodamos
vosotrospodáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedpudiese
yopudiese
pudieses
ellos/ellas/ustedespudiesen
nosotrospudiésemos
vosotrospudieseis

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pudiese" in Spanish:

could

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pudiese

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'pudiese' to express a condition?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

The verb 'poder' comes from the Latin verb *potere*, meaning 'to be powerful' or 'to have the ability.' 'Pudiese' is a specialized, older form that Spanish uses to talk about hypothetical or wished-for ability.

First recorded: 13th century (as a form of *poder*)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: pudesseFrench: pouvoir

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'pudiese' more formal than 'pudiera'?

Not really. Both 'pudiese' and 'pudiera' are grammatically perfect and mean the same thing. In some regions, one form is slightly more common, but you can use either one confidently in writing and speaking.