¿cómo pudiste?
The English phrase "how could you?" is expressed in Spanish as ¿cómo pudiste?
¿cómo pudiste? is an expression used to convey shock or disappointment when someone has done something hurtful or unexpected.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of cómo (how), pudiste (you were able to/could) and the question marks.
Which one should you use?
You can use ¿Cómo ha podido usted? to express the same sentiment in a more formal manner.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing someone formally or speaking about a third person, the verb changes from pudiste to pudo, resulting in the form ¿cómo pudo?
Did you know?
- In some Latin American cultures, the formal ¿Cómo ha podido usted? can be used sarcastically to create a cold emotional distance between the speaker and the offender.
- The verb pudiste comes from a process called metathesis, where the sounds of the original Latin word 'potuistī' swapped positions to create the modern form.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, if you want to sound even more dramatically wounded, you might replace ¿cómo pudiste? with ¿cómo eres capaz? to ask 'how are you capable of such a thing?'
Examples in context
- ¡Ay dios mío! ¿Cómo pudiste hacer eso?Oh my god! How could you do that?
- ¡No puedo creerlo! ¿Cómo has podido?I can't believe it! How could you?
- ¿Cómo pudiste hacerme esto?How could you do this to me?
Example conversation
Lucía just told Daniel that she shared his secret with others.
- Daniel¿Cómo pudiste contarle mi secreto?How could you tell my secret?
- LucíaLo siento, Daniel, no fue mi intención.I'm sorry, Daniel, it wasn't my intention.
- Daniel¡Es que no te creo, ¿cómo pudiste?!I just can't believe you, how could you?!
- LucíaPor favor, perdóname.Please, forgive me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, pudiste, CC BY-SA 4.0.
