je peux
je peux is the French way to say "I can".
je peux is used to express that you have the ability or the permission to do something. It is conjugated from the verb pouvoir, which means "to be able to". While je peux covers general ability, if you want to specifically express that you have learned a particular skill, such as swimming or playing an instrument, you should use je sais (I know how to).
Which one should you use?
je peux expresses general ability or permission. In contrast, je sais is used specifically when you want to say you know how to do something through learned skill.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the negative "I cannot", you must place "ne… pas" around the conjugated verb, resulting in je ne peux pas. When asking a formal question, the phrase is often inverted to puis-je rather than using the incorrect form peux-je.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using peux-je when forming formal questions. Instead, use the grammatically correct inversion puis-je.
Did you know?
- The French word for 'power' as a noun, pouvoir, is identical to the verb used in je peux, linking the concept of personal ability to political authority.
- While je peux and puis-je both mean 'I can', the form puis-je exists specifically because peux-je is phonetically impossible to pronounce in standard French grammar.
- In casual spoken French, the ne in je ne peux pas is almost always dropped, leaving only je peux pas.
Examples in context
- Je peux le lire.I can read it.Tatoeba #12297079 by Rovo, translation #6358571 by CK
- Je peux le faire.I can do it.Tatoeba #998651 by sacredceltic, translation #254742 by CK
- Je peux voir Tom.I can see Tom.Tatoeba #6000241 by PERCE_NEIGE, translation #2301319 by CK
- Je peux vous aider avec ce projet.I can help you with this project.
- Je suis capable de résoudre des problèmes complexes.I can solve complex problems.
- Je sais parler couramment l'anglais.I can speak English fluently.
- Je peux venir chez toi demain ?Can I come to your place tomorrow?
- Je sais faire du vélo.I can ride a bike.
- J'arrive à nager très vite.I can swim very fast.
- 981 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are discussing their plans for the evening.
- LéaEst-ce que je peux t'appeler ce soir ?Can I call you tonight?
- HugoOui, je peux parler après le dîner.Yes, I can talk after dinner.
- LéaParfait, je peux passer te voir.Perfect, I can come see you.
- HugoC'est une bonne idée, Léa.That is a good idea, Léa.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
