podemos
/podemos/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "we can" is expressed as podemos.
podemos is used to express that the speaker and others have the ability or permission to do something.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Spain and Latin America, speakers may drop the final "-s" in podemos, resulting in Podemo'.
How does it change in a sentence?
podemos is the first-person plural present indicative form of the verb poder.
How do you pronounce it?
/podemos/
Did you know?
- The root verb poder is the source of the English word 'potent', as both derive from the Latin word for power.
- In Spanish, the word poder means both 'can' and 'power'. This allows podemos to be used in political slogans to mean 'we have the power' rather than just a simple ability.
- While podemos expresses general ability, Spanish speakers often switch to sabemos (we know) when referring to a learned skill like playing an instrument.
Examples in context
- Ya nos podemos ir.We can go now.Tatoeba #1599005 by marcelostockle, translation #1599006 by marcelostockle
- Podemos ayudar a Tom.We can help Tom.Tatoeba #1998640 by Shishir, translation #1893928 by CK
- Sé que podemos hacerlo.I know we can do it.Tatoeba #1621049 by marcelostockle, translation #1621033 by Spamster
- Podemos ayudarle con su proyectoWe can help you with your project
- Somos capaces de resolver cualquier desafíoWe are capable of solving any challenge
- Tenemos la capacidad de adaptarnos a cualquier situaciónWe have the capacity to adapt to any situation
- Podemos ir al cine esta nocheWe can go to the movies tonight
- Nosotros podemos cocinar la cenaWe can cook dinner
- 249 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are deciding what to do for dinner.
- SofíaTengo hambre, ¿qué podemos cenar?I'm hungry, what can we have for dinner?
- AlejandroPodemos cocinar pasta en casa.We can cook pasta at home.
- SofíaNo tenemos tomates para la salsa.We don't have tomatoes for the sauce.
- AlejandroEntonces podemos pedir una pizza.Then we can order a pizza.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
