Could/would

Question

Yesterday I could not start my car/ Ayer no podía arrancar mi coche. I have used imperfect but the word yesterday tells me it may need preterit - pude.

Yesterday my car would not start/ Ayer mi coche no podría arrancar. Would conditional be correct here?

I am trying to think of something to talk about in class - once I have the coulds and woulds sorted out I can carry on about about what I did next.

Arrancar is used where I live rather than comenzar which the translator gives.

Thanks

Answer 1

Yesterday my car would not start/ Ayer mi coche no podría arrancar.

This is not a "pure" conditional, but another way of saying: My car went on strike, it didn't want to start, it just wouldn't start.

The conditional does not work in Spanish.

Ayer mi coche no quería arrancar, no arrancaba, no le dio la gana de arrancar, fue tan borde que no arrancaba ni por la de tres ( ) just some options, jeje

• Many thanks Heidi - I am trying to memorize the expression! - caza Feb 7, 2012

Answer 2

Hello and welcome to the SpanishDict forum

Could is translated using the verb poder = to be able to as in the example

¿Podría traerme un vaso de agua? = Could you bring me a glass of water?

Would is not a verb in Spanish as it is in English but is translated using the conditional tense of whatever verbs you happen to be using:

eg I would have liked to have visited my aunt before she had died:

= Me habría gustado visitar a mi tía antes de que se murío.

(gustar in conditional indicative; haber = infinitive form = have; visitado= past participle of verb visitar = to visit)

I have not given a translation for your actual requested sentence since Heidi a native who is fluent in Spanish has already done so and I certainly could not match her answer even less improve on it lol I hope this helps

• Yes it has helped - thanks - oh and thanks for the welcome but you and I have corresponded before - several times over the past few years. Gremlins at work aghain on the new site? - caza Feb 7, 2012
• jeje, caza, I am sure this is not a good idea not to be able to see if the member is a newbie or not at first sight, but anyway, feliz, nice answer:) - Heidita Feb 7, 2012
• lol hehehe Thanks very much, Heidi :) - FELIZ77 Feb 7, 2012
• Heidi I know all the regulars like Kiwigirl, Gekko, Pesta Lovely etc.... but when I haven't communicated with someone for a long time I cannot remember if they are new - FELIZ77 Feb 7, 2012
• Anyway most people do not mind me being friendly lol I guess I could limit it to a simple hello in most cases :) - FELIZ77 Feb 7, 2012
View 4 more commments >>

Answer 3

Would and Could English Modals are not always used as conditionals.

• Thanks - that's sorted that out. - caza Feb 7, 2012

Answer 4

It's all about context. Anyway here is what i think.

Ayer no pude arrancar el coche. = I couldn't start the car.

El coche no arrancaría = The car wouldn't start.

This last phrase could be used in the past when you are telling a tale for example...

Or am I wrong?

• Could and would can both refer to the past or the present or the future. That is one reason why are are not verbs :) - ian-hill Feb 7, 2012
• Yes, but I was talking about Spanish... ;) - chileno Feb 7, 2012
• Have I started something!! Thanks for your help chileno - caza Feb 7, 2012
• @chileno - the problem is that these Modals do not exiist in Spanish - ian-hill Feb 7, 2012
• Nor any other Modal :) - ian-hill Feb 7, 2012