How to Say "I Can" in Spanish

puedo

/pwedo/from spelling rules

The English phrase "I can" is translated into Spanish as puedo.

When you follow this form with another verb, that second verb must remain in its infinitive form, such as puedo hablar for "I can speak".

How does it change in a sentence?

The form puedo already includes the subject "I", which means the pronoun yo is optional and often omitted.

/pwedo/

The word puedo shares a deep linguistic ancestor with the English word 'potency' and 'potent', both coming from the Latin root for power.
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying No puedo can be a polite, face-saving way to decline an invitation without giving a specific reason.
In certain contexts, saying no puedo más does not mean 'I cannot do more' but is a common idiom meaning 'I can't take it anymore' or 'I am exhausted'.

Puedo ver a Tom.
I can see Tom.
Tatoeba #2409307 by Shishir, translation #2301319 by CK
Puedo ver la luz.
I can see the light.
Tatoeba #977537 by Shishir, translation #323700 by CK
Yo a ti te puedo.
I can lick you.
Tatoeba #11848217 by Seael, translation #11848181 by CK
Puedo hablar varios idiomas.
I can speak multiple languages.
Soy capaz de resolver problemas complicados.
I am capable of solving complex problems.
Tengo la habilidad de escribir poesía.
I have the ability to write poetry.
Puedo venir a tu fiesta mañana.
I can come to your party tomorrow.
Me sale bien dibujar.
I can draw well.
Se me da bien cocinar.
I can cook well.
744 more sentences on Tatoeba

Alejandro and María are discussing plans for the evening.

Sources

IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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