posso
The Italian phrase for "I can" is posso.
posso is used to express that you have the ability or the permission to do something.
Which one should you use?
While posso expresses ability or permission, it is distinct from so, which is used to express a learned skill, such as knowing how to swim.
How does it change in a sentence?
posso is the first-person singular present indicative form of the verb potere.
Did you know?
- The distinction between posso (ability) and so (skill) is so strict that saying posso nuotare instead of so nuotare sounds to an Italian like you are asking for permission to enter the pool.
- You can use posso? as a standalone question to mean 'May I?' when entering a room or joining a conversation, without needing to specify what you want to do.
- The word potere is the root of the English word 'potent', which describes someone with the power or ability to produce an effect.
Examples in context
- Ce la posso fare.I can manage.Tatoeba #2552744 by Guybrush88, translation #2245643 by CK
- Posso fare di più.I can do more.Tatoeba #6319095 by Guybrush88, translation #2300666 by CK
- Lo posso già fare.I can already do that.Tatoeba #7946863 by Guybrush88, translation #5851264 by CK
- Posso aiutarla con il progetto?Can I help you with the project?
- Sono in grado di parlare quattro lingue.I can speak four languages.
- Posso venire alla tua festa?Can I come to your party?
- Riesco a suonare la chitarra molto bene.I can play the guitar very well.
- 1257 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are in a library.
- GiuliaPosso usare il tuo computer?Can I use your computer?
- AlessandroSì, certo, prendilo pure.Yes, sure, go ahead and take it.
- GiuliaGrazie, ora posso finire il lavoro.Thanks, now I can finish the work.
- AlessandroDi nulla, Giulia.You're welcome, Giulia.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
