poder

to be able to; can

verb poh-DEHR Common

Origin: From Vulgar Latin potere, from Latin posse.

Usage Note

Poder expresses ability or permission, equivalent to 'can' and 'may'. It can also be used as a noun (el poder = 'power'), a use learners often miss. Note that no poder más is an idiomatic fixed phrase meaning 'to be exhausted' or 'to have had enough'.

Examples

"¿Puedes ayudarme con esto?"

Natural Translation

Can you help me with this?

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