puedes irte
/pwedes iɾte/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "you can go" is expressed as puedes irte.
This phrase is used to grant permission for someone to depart, but depending on the tone, it can also be used dismissively to tell someone to get lost.
Which one should you use?
While puedes ir is grammatically possible, puedes irte is the much more natural and common way to express permission to leave a place because the reflexive irte implies departing from a specific spot.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people, use the plural form pueden irse. To use this phrase in a formal or polite context, change puedes irte to puede irse.
Did you know?
- In a very informal or aggressive setting, the phrase vete a paseo uses the same verb as puedes irte but translates literally to 'go for a walk' to mean 'go away'.
- The verb ir is so fundamental that it is used as an auxiliary to form the future tense in many Spanish dialects, making it a structural pillar of the language far beyond just movement.
- In Spanish, the distinction between 'going' and 'leaving' is so strict that saying puedes ir instead of puedes irte makes it sound like you are discussing someone's physical ability to travel.
Examples in context
- Puedes irte a casa.You can go home.This sentence shows how to use puedes irte with a destination.Tatoeba #1286264 by marcelostockle, translation #1230452 by alec
- Puedes irte si quieres.You can go if you want to.This sentence shows how to use puedes irte with a condition.Tatoeba #1328266 by Shishir, translation #30849 by CK
- Puedes irte.You can go.This sentence shows the simple use of puedes irte.Tatoeba #524748 by Shishir, translation #1553295 by CK
- The professor said, "Puede ir" (You can go) after finishing the lecture.The professor said, "You can go" after finishing the lecture.
- The hostess gestured and said, "Usted puede irse" (You can leave) indicating the end of the event.The hostess gestured and said, "You can leave" indicating the end of the event.
- Jesús told his friend, "Puedes ir" (You can go) after they finished playing soccer.Jesús told his friend, "You can go" after they finished playing soccer.
- After repeated warnings, the teacher exclaimed, "¡Puedes largarte!" (You can get going!) to the misbehaving student.After repeated warnings, the teacher exclaimed, "You can get going!" (You can get going!) to the misbehaving student.
- Después de completar el formulario, puede irAfter completing the form, you can go
- Si no necesita ayuda adicional, puede irseIf you don't need any further assistance, you can leave
- Ya terminamos la tarea, así que puedes irWe finished the homework, so you can go
- Si tienes prisa, puedes irte antesIf you're in a hurry, you can leave earlier
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo finishes helping Sofía with her work.
- MateoYa terminé de ayudarte, Sofía.I have finished helping you, Sofía.
- SofíaMuchas gracias, Mateo.Thank you very much, Mateo.
- MateoNo hay problema, puedes irte.No problem, you can go.
- SofíaHasta mañana.See you tomorrow.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
