able

∗ ≈

capaz

∗ adjective

able
[ˈeɪbəl]
adjetivo
también:
  • to be able to do something -> ser capaz de hacer algo, poder hacer algo; (have the capability) conseguir or poder hacer algo (manage)
  • I was able to speak to him myself -> conseguí or pude hablar con él
  • she was able to see exactly what was happening -> pudo ver exactamente lo que estaba sucediendo
1capaz (competent) (person); logrado(a), conseguido(a) (piece of work, performance)

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able [éi-bol]
adjetivo
1Fuerte, poderoso, capaz, hábil, rico, opulento, experto, experimentado.
  • To be abl -> o to be able for, poder; tener poder

Velazquez® Spanish and English Dictionary. Copyright © 2007 by Velazquez® Press. All rights reserved.

able [ˈeɪbl]
adjective
1
to be able to do sth (of acquired skills) saber hacer algo; (other contexts) poder hacer algo; the child isn't able to walk (yet) el niño no sabe andar (todavía); he's not able to walk no puede andar; come as soon as you are able ven en cuanto puedas; I was eventually able to escape por fin pude escaparme; por fin logré escaparme; able to pay solvente
2 (capable) [+person] capaz; [+piece of work] sólido
she is one of our ablest pupils es una de nuestras alumnas más capaces
modifier
able seaman (n) marinero de primera patentado; (m)or
Poder and saber can both translate to be able to, can and could.
Podersaberto be able tocancouldSkillsSkills
Use saber when to be able to, can and could mean "know how to":
saberto be able tocancould
Can you type? ¿Sabes escribir a máquina?;¿Sabes escribir a máquina?
His wife couldn't drive Su mujer no sabía conducir;Su mujer no sabía conducir
Other contextsOther contexts
Generally, use poder:
poder
He can stay here Puede quedarse aquí;Puede quedarse aquí
We have not been able to persuade them No hemos podido convencerlos;No hemos podido convencerlos
When can and could are followed by find or a verb of perception - see, hear, feel, taste or smell - they are usually not translated:
cancouldfindseehearfeeltastesmell
I can't find it No lo encuentro;No lo encuentro
What can you see? ¿Qué ves?;¿Qué ves?
Alternatives to "poder"Alternatives to "poder"
When to be able means "to be capable of", you can often use ser capaz de as an alternative to poder:
to be ableser capaz depoder
I don't think he'll be able to resist it No creo que sea capaz de pueda resistirlo;No creo que sea capaz deorpueda resistirlo
able can

Collins Complete Spanish Electronic Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

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Word of the Day: superar

∗

to beat; to overcome, to surpass, to overtake