puedes
/pwedes/from spelling rules
In Spanish, puedes means the second person singular present form of the verb meaning to be able to do something.
puedes is the second person singular present indicative form of the verb *poder*, meaning to be able to do something.
Which one should you use?
While puedes is used for an informal context, the first person singular form is puedo.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina and Uruguay, podes is an alternative to puedes.
How does it change in a sentence?
puedes is used specifically with the informal tú. It is typically followed directly by an infinitive (the unconjugated form of a verb) to express ability or permission.
How do you pronounce it?
/pwedes/
Did you know?
- The root verb poder is the ancestor of the English word 'potency' and the word 'potent', both describing the power or ability to act.
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, saying no puedo is a socially acceptable 'soft' refusal that avoids the bluntness of saying 'no' to an invitation.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿puedes? when requesting a favor is considered less polite than using the conditional form podrías, which softens the request.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedes venir a mi fiesta?Can you come to my party?
- ¿Puedes ayudarme con mis tareas?Can you help me with my homework?
- ¿Podes abrir la ventana?Can you open the window?
- ¿Puedes ayudarme?Can you help me?
- ¿Puedes ayudarme con esto?Can you help me with this?
- Si quieres, puedes venir mañana.If you want, you can come tomorrow.
- No sé si puedes hablar ahora.I don't know if you can talk now.
Example conversation
Sofía asks Mateo for help in the kitchen.
- SofíaMateo, ¿puedes traer un plato?Mateo, can you bring a plate?
- MateoSí, claro, lo traigo ahora.Yes, of course, I'll bring it now.
- SofíaGracias, eres muy amable.Thanks, you are very kind.
- MateoDe nada, Sofía.You're welcome, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
