pouvoir
/pu.vwaʁ/
In French, the verb for 'can' is pouvoir.
pouvoir is the most common and standard way to express the concept of 'can' in French. It is used to express general ability or permission.
Meaning: to be able to, to know how to (verb)
Which one should you use?
While pouvoir expresses general ability or permission, the verb savoir is used specifically to express that one has learned a skill or knows how to do something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The third person singular present indicative form of pouvoir is peut. If you need to use the subjunctive mood, the form is puisse.
How do you pronounce it?
/pu.vwaʁ/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- In Old French, the word for 'can' was written as poeir or podeir. The letter v was added later to make the word easier to pronounce by breaking a gap between vowels.
- The word pouvoir also serves as a noun meaning 'power' or 'authority'. In political contexts, it refers to the executive, legislative or judicial branches of government.
- In very formal or archaic French, the first person singular 'I can' was puis. This form is still visible in the fixed expression puis-je, used to ask questions in a highly polished style.
Examples in context
- Je pense pouvoir réussir.I think I can do it.This sentence shows how to use pouvoir to express a thought about what one can do.Tatoeba #4200019 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #2407736 by CK
- Je sais pouvoir le faire.I know I can do that.This sentence shows how to express knowing that one is able to do something using pouvoir.Tatoeba #5167486 by sacredceltic, translation #5166595 by CK
- Je pense pouvoir faire ça.I think I can do that.This sentence shows how to express a thought about being able to do something using pouvoir.Tatoeba #2070798 by sacredceltic, translation #2407737 by CK
- Je peux parler français.I can speak French.
- Pouvez-vous m'aider?Can you help me?
- Je suis en mesure de vous fournir les informations demandées.I can provide you with the requested information.
- Je sais nager.I can swim.
- Je peux venir te chercher tout de suite.I can come pick you up right away.
- J'ai le droit de sortir ce soir.I can go out tonight.
- 261 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Wiktionary, “can” translations and entries pouvoir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pouvoir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
