¿Puedo ir a la piscina?
The English phrase "can i go to the pool" is translated into Spanish as ¿Puedo ir a la piscina?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Puedo (I can/am able to), ir (to go), a (to) and la piscina (the pool).
Which one should you use?
While ¿Puedo ir…? asks for permission or ability, the phrase ¿Me dejas ir a la piscina? (Will you let me go to the pool?) focuses more specifically on asking for permission from another person.
How does it change in a sentence?
Changing Puedo to the conditional form Podría in the phrase ¿Podría ir a la piscina? makes the request more polite and indirect.
Did you know?
- Spanish has a specific word chapuzón for the act of taking a quick, refreshing dip in a pool or the sea.
- The word piscina comes from the Latin word for 'fishpond'. Originally it described a place to keep fish rather than a place for people to swim.
- While piscina is standard, some Latin American countries use the word alberca, which describes a tank or cistern used to collect water.
Example conversation
Sofía is asking her father for permission to swim.
- SofíaPapá, ¿puedo ir a la piscina?Dad, can I go to the pool?
- AlejandroSí, pero ponte protector solar primero.Yes, but put on sunscreen first.
- Sofía¡Gracias! Voy a buscar mi toalla.Thanks! I'm going to look for my towel.
- AlejandroEstá bien, Sofía. Diviértete mucho.All right, Sofía. Have a lot of fun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, ir, la, piscina, CC BY-SA 4.0.
