Inklingo

How to Say "can" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “can” is “poder” — use 'poder' when expressing general ability, capacity, or to ask for permission in a polite way..

poder🔊A1

Use 'poder' when expressing general ability, capacity, or to ask for permission in a polite way.

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puede🔊A1

Use 'puede' (the 'él/ella/usted' form of 'poder') to state someone else's ability or to make a polite request.

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lata🔊A1

Use 'lata' for a metal container, typically used for food or drinks like soda or tuna.

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sabe🔊A1

Use 'sabe' (the 'él/ella/usted' form of 'saber') when someone possesses knowledge or knows how to do something specific, like a skill.

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bote🔊A1

Use 'bote' for a container that is usually made of glass or plastic, often for items like jam, paint, or spices.

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pueda🔊A2

Use 'pueda' (subjunctive form of 'poder') to express possibility, desire, or hope, often after expressions like 'espero que' or 'ojalá'.

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saber🔊A2

Use the infinitive 'saber' after modal verbs or when referring to the general knowledge or learned skill of knowing how to do something.

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podrá🔊A2

Use 'podrá' (future tense of 'poder') to talk about a future ability or possibility.

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English → Spanish

poder

/poh-DEHR//poˈðeɾ/

VerbA1General
Use 'poder' when expressing general ability, capacity, or to ask for permission in a polite way.
A strong, smiling figure effortlessly lifting a giant, brightly colored barbell high above their head, demonstrating great physical capacity.

Examples

Yo puedo nadar.

I can swim.

Yo puedo hablar español.

I can speak Spanish.

Ella no pudo venir a la fiesta.

She wasn't able to come to the party.

Nosotros podemos levantar la mesa juntos.

We can lift the table together.

The Magic Formula: poder + verb

To say you 'can do' something, just use the right form of 'poder' followed by the basic '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form of the action verb. For example, 'puedo' (I can) + 'correr' (to run) = 'Puedo correr' (I can run). Easy!

Finished Action vs. Ongoing Ability in the Past

Mistake: “Using 'podía' when you mean you succeeded at something once.”

Correction: Use 'pude' for 'I managed to/succeeded' at a specific moment. Use 'podía' for 'I was able to/could' as a general ability in the past. 'No pude abrir la puerta' (I couldn't get the door open), vs. 'Cuando era niño, no podía nadar' (When I was a kid, I couldn't swim).

puede

/PWEH-deh//ˈpwe.ðe/

VerbA1General
Use 'puede' (the 'él/ella/usted' form of 'poder') to state someone else's ability or to make a polite request.
A woman easily lifting a box that looks heavy, demonstrating her physical ability.

Examples

¿Puede abrir la ventana, por favor?

Can you open the window, please?

Mi hermano puede correr muy rápido.

My brother can run very fast.

Ella no puede venir a la fiesta esta noche.

She can't come to the party tonight.

Este ascensor puede llevar a seis personas.

This elevator can carry six people.

The 'o' to 'ue' Switch

The verb 'poder' is a 'stem-changing' verb. Notice how the 'o' changes to 'ue' for most 'present' forms (yo puedo, tú puedes, él puede), but not for 'nosotros' (podemos). This is a very common pattern in Spanish!

Formal vs. Informal 'You'

'Puede' is used for the formal 'you' (usted). If you are talking to a friend, you would use the informal version: 'puedes'. For example, '¿Puedes ayudarme?'

Forgetting the 'ue' Switch

Mistake: “Yo podo abrir la ventana.”

Correction: Yo puedo abrir la ventana. Remember that the 'o' needs to change to 'ue' for the 'yo' form.

lata

LAH-tah/ˈlata/

NounA1General
Use 'lata' for a metal container, typically used for food or drinks like soda or tuna.
A single, unopened, silver aluminum soda can with a bright red and white label, standing on a simple white surface.

Examples

Necesito una lata de refresco.

I need a can of soda.

Compré una lata de atún para la cena.

I bought a can of tuna for dinner.

Por favor, recicla las latas vacías.

Please recycle the empty cans.

Necesitas un abrelatas para esto.

You need a can opener for this.

Gender Rule

Like many Spanish nouns ending in -a, 'lata' is feminine, so you use 'la' or 'una' before it.

sabe

/SAH-beh//ˈsa.βe/

VerbA1General
Use 'sabe' (the 'él/ella/usted' form of 'saber') when someone possesses knowledge or knows how to do something specific, like a skill.
A person with a glowing lightbulb above their head, symbolizing having knowledge or an idea.

Examples

Mi hermana sabe cocinar muy bien.

My sister knows how to cook very well.

Él sabe la capital de Francia.

He knows the capital of France.

Mi hermana sabe hablar tres idiomas.

My sister knows how to speak three languages.

¿Usted sabe dónde está la estación?

Do you (formal) know where the station is?

Saber vs. Conocer

'Saber' is for facts, information, and skills (like how to swim). Use 'conocer' when you're talking about being familiar with a person, place, or thing.

Using 'saber' for people

Mistake: “Yo sabo a María.”

Correction: Yo conozco a María. 'Conocer' is used for people, while 'saber' is for facts.

bote

BOH-tay/ˈbo.te/

NounA1General
Use 'bote' for a container that is usually made of glass or plastic, often for items like jam, paint, or spices.
A transparent glass jar tightly sealed and filled with bright red strawberry jam, sitting on a wooden surface.

Examples

Traje un bote de aceitunas.

I brought a jar of olives.

Necesito un bote de miel para hacer el postre.

I need a jar of honey to make the dessert.

Tira ese bote de plástico a la basura.

Throw that plastic container in the trash.

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'bote' is always masculine, so use 'el bote' or 'un bote'.

pueda

/PWEH-dah//ˈpwe.ða/

VerbA2General
Use 'pueda' (subjunctive form of 'poder') to express possibility, desire, or hope, often after expressions like 'espero que' or 'ojalá'.
A small, cheerful figure standing on the ground, looking up at a tall, healthy tree where a single, bright golden fruit glows softly at the top, symbolizing potential ability or hope.

Examples

Espero que ella pueda venir.

I hope that she can come.

Ojalá que yo pueda ir al concierto.

I hope that I can go to the concert.

Espero que usted pueda ayudarme.

I hope that you can help me.

No creo que él pueda terminar a tiempo.

I don't think he can finish on time.

The 'Maybe' Verb Form (Subjunctive)

'Pueda' is a special form of the verb 'poder' (to be able to). We use it to talk about things that aren't certain facts, like wishes, doubts, or possibilities. Think of it as the 'maybe' or 'what if' form of the verb.

Who Uses 'Pueda'?

This single word 'pueda' works for three different people: 'yo' (I), 'él/ella' (he/she), and 'usted' (you, formal). The rest of the sentence tells you who is being talked about. For example: 'Espero que yo pueda' (I hope I can) vs. 'Espero que él pueda' (I hope he can).

Using 'Puede' Instead of 'Pueda'

Mistake: “Incorrect: 'Quiero que él *puede* venir.'”

Correction: Correct: 'Quiero que él *pueda* venir.' Why? Words that express wants, wishes, or doubts (like 'quiero que' or 'espero que') trigger this special verb form in Spanish.

saber

/sa-ber//saˈβeɾ/

VerbA2General
Use the infinitive 'saber' after modal verbs or when referring to the general knowledge or learned skill of knowing how to do something.
A cheerful, simplified character swimming easily and confidently with perfect form in a bright blue body of water.

Examples

Quiero saber bailar salsa.

I want to know how to dance salsa.

Mi abuela sabe tejer muy bien.

My grandmother knows how to knit very well.

¿Sabes hablar francés?

Do you know how to speak French?

Él no sabe nadar.

He can't swim (doesn't know how).

Saber + Action

To say you know how to do something, it's simple: just put 'saber' in front of the basic form of the action verb (the infinitive). For example, 'saber' + 'cocinar' = to know how to cook.

Adding 'Cómo'

Mistake: “English speakers often translate 'how to' directly and say: *Yo sé cómo nadar.*”

Correction: In Spanish, 'saber' already includes the idea of 'how to'. Just say: 'Yo sé nadar.' You don't need 'cómo' (how).

podrá

poh-DRAH/poˈðɾa/

VerbA2General
Use 'podrá' (future tense of 'poder') to talk about a future ability or possibility.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing a small, determined rabbit standing at the bottom of a tall stone wall. Above the wall, a faint, transparent outline of the same rabbit is shown triumphantly standing on the top, symbolizing future capability.

Examples

Mañana no podrá salir.

Tomorrow he/she will not be able to go out.

Ella no podrá asistir a la cena de mañana.

She will not be able to attend tomorrow's dinner.

El director podrá tomar una decisión la próxima semana.

The director will be able to make a decision next week.

Si no nos apuramos, no se podrá encontrar un buen asiento.

If we don't hurry, it won't be possible (one won't be able) to find a good seat.

Irregular Future Stem

The verb poder (to be able to) is one of a handful of verbs that changes its stem when forming the future tense. Instead of poderá, it uses the special, shorter stem podr- (poh-drr) before adding the future endings.

Who Does the Action?

This form, podrá, is used only when the subject is a single person you call él (he), ella (she), or usted (you formal), or a single object or concept.

Using the wrong stem for the future

Mistake: “Using 'él/ella/usted *poderá*'”

Correction: Use 'él/ella/usted *podrá*'. Remember that the future tense forms of 'poder' are irregular and must have the 'r' before the ending.

Ability vs. Knowledge

The most common confusion is between 'poder' (to be able to, can) and 'saber' (to know how to). Remember, 'poder' is about general ability or permission, while 'saber' implies a learned skill or knowledge.

Related Translations

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