pueden
/pweh-den/
they can
Visualizing 'pueden' as the inherent ability of a group (birds) to perform an action (flying).
pueden(Verb)
they can
?ability or capability
you all can
?plural 'you', common in Latin America and formal situations
,they are able to
?emphasizing ability
📝 In Action
Los pájaros pueden volar.
A1Birds can fly.
¿Ustedes pueden hablar más despacio, por favor?
A1Can you all speak more slowly, please?
Mis amigos pueden correr muy rápido.
A2My friends can run very fast.
💡 Grammar Points
Who is 'pueden' for?
'Pueden' is the form you use for 'they' (ellos/ellas) and the plural, more formal 'you' (ustedes). It's for talking about what a group of other people can do.
The 'o' to 'ue' Change
The basic form is 'poder'. Notice how the 'o' changes to 'ue' in 'pueden'. This is a very common pattern in Spanish verbs, often called a 'stem-change'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "A common mistake is to say 'poden' instead of 'pueden'."
Correction: Always remember that the 'o' in 'poder' changes to 'ue' for this form. Think: 'o' becomes 'ue' -> pOder -> pUEden.
⭐ Usage Tips
Verb + Basic Verb
After 'pueden', the next verb almost always stays in its original form (ending in -ar, -er, or -ir). For example: 'Pueden cantar' (They can sing), not 'Pueden cantan'.
Representing 'pueden' when permission is granted for a group (students) to access something (the library).
pueden(Verb)
they may
?giving or asking for permission
they are allowed to
?explicit permission
,you all may
?giving permission to a group
📝 In Action
Los estudiantes pueden usar la biblioteca hasta las 9.
A2The students may use the library until 9.
Si ya terminaron, pueden irse a casa.
B1If you all are finished, you may go home.
¿Pueden los niños jugar aquí?
A2Are the children allowed to play here?
⭐ Usage Tips
Ability vs. Permission
Just like 'can' in English, 'pueden' covers both ability ('are they able to?') and permission ('are they allowed to?'). The situation will almost always make the meaning clear.
Depicting 'pueden' as a suggestion or possibility, showing an uncertain future path for the group.
pueden(Verb)
they might
?possibility
they could
?suggestion or possibility
,it's possible that they
?expressing uncertainty
📝 In Action
No estoy seguro, pero pueden llegar tarde por el tráfico.
B1I'm not sure, but they might be late because of the traffic.
Si no les gusta la película, pueden elegir otra.
A2If they don't like the movie, they could choose another one.
Los resultados pueden variar.
B1The results may vary.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Uncertainty
When you're not 100% sure about something a group will do, 'pueden' is a great way to show that uncertainty. It's softer than saying they 'will' do something.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pueden
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pueden' to talk about PERMISSION?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'pueden' and 'puedan'?
'Pueden' is the normal, everyday form for stating facts (They can swim). 'Puedan' is a special form, called the subjunctive, used after certain phrases that express doubt, desire, or emotion, like 'Espero que puedan venir' (I hope that they can come).
Is 'pueden' for 'they' or for 'you all'?
It's for both! 'Pueden' is used for 'ellos/ellas' (they) and also for 'ustedes' (you all). You can usually tell who it is from the context of the conversation.