to be able to, can
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
No puedo ir hoy, tengo que trabajar.
I can't go today, I have to work.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Por fin pudimos ver a mi abuela.
We finally managed to see my grandmother.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Antes los niños podían jugar en la calle.
Kids used to be able to play in the street.
Futuro · What will happen
Mañana podrás descansar.
Tomorrow you'll be able to rest.
Condicional · What would happen
¿Podrías ayudarme con la maleta?
Could you help me with the suitcase?
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
No he podido dormir con este calor.
I haven't been able to sleep in this heat.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Ella no había podido llamar.
She hadn't been able to call.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para el viernes ya habrán podido arreglar la luz.
By Friday they will have been able to fix the power.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Habrías podido avisarme.
You could have let me know.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Ven cuando puedas.
Come when you can.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Si pudiera, viajaría a Cuba este año.
If I could, I'd travel to Cuba this year.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Si pudiésemos, nos quedaríamos más tiempo.
If we could, we would stay longer.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
No creo que haya podido venir.
I don't think he has been able to come.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubiera podido, te habría ayudado.
If I had been able to, I would have helped you.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Rarely used with this verb.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
Rarely used with this verb.