puoi
The Italian phrase for "can you" is puoi.
This phrase is used to ask if someone has the ability or permission to do something.
Which one should you use?
While puoi is used for an informal "can you", the form può is used for a formal "can you".
How does it change in a sentence?
Italian uses different forms of the verb to indicate who you are addressing: puoi is for an informal singular subject, può is the third-person singular form used to address someone formally and potete is used when addressing more than one person (plural).
Did you know?
- In some regions of Italy, people may use the plural potete even when speaking to one person as a way of being extremely formal or ironic.
- To express a strong 'you cannot' in a social or moral sense, Italians might switch from non puoi to non si può, which literally means 'one cannot'.
- The verb potere, from which puoi comes, is a modal verb that can be used alone as a complete answer. Saying posso simply means 'I may' or 'I can'.
Examples in context
- Ce lo puoi dare?Can you give that to us?This sentence is useful for asking to receive something using puoi.Tatoeba #6397985 by Guybrush88, translation #3905924 by CH
- Cosa mi puoi dare?What can you give me?This sentence is useful for asking what can be given using puoi.Tatoeba #2037915 by Guybrush88, translation #1886800 by CK
- Puoi farlo per me?Can you do that for me?This sentence is useful for asking someone to perform a favor using puoi.Tatoeba #5362713 by Guybrush88, translation #2646098 by CK
- Scusi, può aiutarmi?Excuse me, can you help me?
- Potrebbe dirmi l'ora, per favore?Could you tell me the time, please?
- Sarebbe possibile avere la password Wi-Fi, per favore?Would it be possible to have the Wi-Fi password, please?
- Puoi passarmi l'acqua, per favore?Can you pass me the water, please?
- Potresti prendermi una birra dal frigo?Could you get me a beer from the fridge?
- Riusciresti ad accompagnarmi alla stazione?Can you accompany me to the station?
- Mi scusi, può darmi indicazioni per il centro città?Excuse me, can you give me directions to the city center?
- Potrebbe aiutarmi a completare questa registrazione?Could you help me complete this registration?
- Puoi portare il cane fuori per una passeggiata?Can you take the dog out for a walk?
- Potresti chiamarmi dopo cena?Could you call me after dinner?
- Riusciresti a prenotare il tavolo per sabato sera?Can you book the table for Saturday night?
- 756 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are at home in the kitchen.
- FrancescoMartina, puoi passarmi il sale?Martina, can you pass me the salt?
- MartinaCerto, eccolo.Sure, here it is.
- FrancescoGrazie. Puoi anche spegnere la luce?Thanks. Can you also turn off the light?
- MartinaSì, lo faccio subito.Yes, I'll do it right away.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
