How do you say "Could I... "?

Question

For example, could I have a cup of coffee? or, could I borrow this pen? etc. Thanks!

• Would may I be better than could I? - Zoltán Aug 28, 2009

Answer 1

Creo.... ¿Tengo un taza de café? o ¿Me prestas tu pluma?

Answer 2

¿Puedo tomar una taza de café?

¿Me prestas tú pluma?

Creo.... ¿Tengo una taza de café? o ¿Me prestas tu pluma?

• No, it's ¿Me prestas tu pluma? May I borrow your pen? prestas, if I am not mistaken is the fact that I am borrowing from you and tu--means your. I hope I'm right. :) - Jason7R Aug 28, 2009
• Good call on the "una" taza, ooops! - Jason7R Aug 28, 2009
• Yes, Jason, you're right: "tu" with no accent is "your." - --Mariana-- Aug 28, 2009
• is the tú as in ¿Me prestas tú tu pluma? - qfreed Aug 28, 2009
• No, you are right. There shouldn't be a tilde on the u. I make that mistake far to often. :-( - Izanoni1 Aug 28, 2009
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Answer 3

I'm wondering...Could you also use/say? Podría

"Could I borrow your pen?" ¿Podría pedir prestada su pluma/bolígrafo?

• or pudiera pedir? - qfreed Aug 28, 2009

Answer 4

I think the phrase "Could I..." comes from the fact that you are phrasing the sentence as a question. So be sure when you're speaking, to inflect your voice so it sounds like you are asking a question. As for the exact translations of those two questions you listed, I will leave that to the professionals above me.