Which one should you use?
While English speakers use "come over" to imply moving toward the listener, Spanish uses the verb ir (to go), making the literal translation "can I go?" For a more casual or brief visit, you can use the reflexive form ¿Puedo pasarme?, which means "Can I drop by?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Mexico and Argentina, the phrase ¿Puedo pasar a tu casa? is an informal way to say "Can I come over?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request feel more natural and explicit in many Spanish-speaking contexts, you can add a destination, such as a tu casa (to your house), as seen in ¿Puedo ir a tu casa?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying ¿Puedo venir? to mean "Can I come over?" English speakers often make this mistake by translating the English "come" directly, but in Spanish, you should use the verb for "to go" (ir) to describe moving toward the listener's location.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Si no es molestia, ¿puedo ir?If it is not a bother, can I come over?
Example conversation
Daniel calls María to see if he can visit her.
- DanielHola María, ¿puedo ir?Hi María, can I come over?
- MaríaSí, claro. Pasa cuando quieras.Yes, of course. Come by whenever you want.
- Daniel¡Genial! Llego en diez minutos.Great! I'll be there in ten minutes.
- MaríaPerfecto, Daniel. Te espero.Perfect, Daniel. I'll wait for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ir, CC BY-SA 4.0.