¿puedes hacer
The English phrase "can you make" is translated into Spanish as ¿puedes hacer.
Because the Spanish verb hacer encompasses both the English meanings of "to make" and "to do", this phrase is used for both concepts.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, you can use hacer to describe the weather, such as hace frío for 'it is cold'. In this context, the language treats the weather as something the day 'makes'.
- While hacer means 'to make', the phrase hacerse el sordo literally means 'to make oneself deaf', but is used idiomatically to mean 'to play dumb' or pretend not to hear.
- The Latin ancestor of hacer was 'facere', which is the same root used to create the English words 'factory' and 'facile'.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes hacer una ensalada?Can you make a salad?This example shows how to ask if someone can prepare a salad using ¿puedes hacer.Tatoeba #7546547 by arh, translation #6866122 by Hybrid
- ¿Puedes hacerte entender en inglés?Can you make yourself understood in English?This example demonstrates using ¿puedes hacer to ask if someone can make themselves understood in English.Tatoeba #1142392 by marcelostockle, translation #16292 by Jum
- ¿Puedes hacerte comprender en francés?Can you make yourself understood in French?This example shows how to ask if someone can make themselves understood in French using ¿puedes hacer.Tatoeba #7273313 by arh, translation #69776 by CK
- ¿Puede usted hacerlo en el plazo indicado?Can you make it within the specified deadline?
- ¿Sería posible que lo hiciera para mañana?Would it be possible for you to make it by tomorrow?
- ¿Te es posible hacerlo hoy?Can you make it today?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are in the kitchen during a party.
- Lucía¿Puedes hacer un café, Alejandro?Can you make a coffee, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, ahora mismo lo hago.Yes, I will do it right now.
- LucíaGracias, eres muy amable.Thank you, you are very kind.
- AlejandroDe nada, Lucía.You're welcome, Lucía.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hacer, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
