pouvoir

The French verb “pouvoir” means “to be able to” or “can” in English. It is an irregular verb that is commonly used in everyday communication. Here is its conjugation in the present tense:

  • Je peux (I can)
  • Tu peux (You can)
  • Il/Elle/On peut (He/She/One can)
  • Nous pouvons (We can)
  • Vous pouvez (You can)
  • Ils/Elles peuvent (They can)

“Pouvoir” is used to express ability, permission, or possibility in various contexts. Its conjugations may change depending on the subject pronoun and the tense of the sentence. It is an essential verb to know for anyone learning French as it is frequently used in both written and spoken language.

Examples:

  1. Je peux nager. (I can swim.)
  2. Tu peux venir avec moi. (You can come with me.)
  3. Il peut parler trois langues. (He can speak three languages.)
  4. Elle peut partir maintenant. (She can leave now.)
  5. On peut manger dehors s’il fait beau. (We can eat outside if the weather is nice.)
  6. Nous pouvons aider nos voisins. (We can help our neighbors.)
  7. Vous pouvez poser des questions. (You can ask questions.)
  8. Ils peuvent venir demain soir. (They can come tomorrow evening.)
  9. Elles peuvent étudier ensemble. (They can study together.)
  10. Les enfants peuvent jouer dans le jardin. (The children can play in the garden.)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • aérer

    The French verb aérer comes from air and means to let air circulate, to ventilate, or to expose something to fresh air. It is an -er verb, conjugated like parler. Its uses extend beyond literal ventilation and include figurative meanings, such as clearing one’s head, or making something lighter and less dense. It is pronounced…

  • eyes, eggs, bones

    The words for eyes, eggs and bones in French are a little unusual. They either have very different spelling between the singular and the plural, or they have very different pronunciation between the singular and the plural. See the below lists and try out the pronunciations for yourself. Eyes: Eggs: Bones:

  • verbs with à

    In French, certain verbs are always followed by the preposition à before introducing another verb or noun. This construction can be tricky for learners, as the preposition changes the meaning or usage of the verb. 1. Aider à (to help to) 2. S’amuser à (to have fun doing) 3. Apprendre à (to learn to) 4….

  • agrémenter

    The French verb “agrémenter” means to embellish, enhance, or enrich something to make it more pleasant or attractive. Meanings of “Agrémenter” 1. To Embellish or Decorate The primary meaning of agrémenter is to adorn something, making it more visually appealing. 2. To Enhance or Spice Up (Food, Stories, etc.) Agrémenter can also mean adding extra…

  • il se peut que

    The French phrase “il se peut que” is commonly used in everyday conversation to express possibility or uncertainty. In English, it translates to “it may be that” or “it is possible that.” This phrase is often followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood, which is used to convey doubt, possibility, or uncertainty. Breaking Down…

  • se faire de la peine

    Literal and figurative meanings The expression “se faire de la peine” literally translates as “to make pain/sorrow for oneself.” However, it’s used to express feeling sad or sorry about something. The reflexive construction (“se faire”) emphasizes that one is generating these feelings within oneself. Common uses 1. Feeling sad about a situation: 2. expressing sympathy:…

One Comment

Comments are closed.