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"Andar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to walk", and "poder" is an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "to be able to". Learn more about the difference between "andar" and "poder" below.
andar, el andar(
ahn
-
dahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to walk
"Cuando ando, me canso mucho", le dijo la anciana a su médico."When I walk, I get very tired," the old woman told her doctor.
Voy andando al colegio todos los días.I walk to school every day.
2. (to mount; used with "en") (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. to take
Yo siempre ando en tren cuando regreso al hogar.I always take the train when returning home.
En el verano ella anda en bicicleta al trabajo.In the summer she takes her bike to work.
4. (to operate)
a. to hang out with
¿Sabías que tu hijo anda con una gente muy rara?Did you know your son hangs out with some very strange people?
a. to go out with
¿Sabías que Ana anda con Miguel? - ¡No, no lo sabía! ¿Desde cuándo?Did you know that Ana is going out with Miguel? - No, I didn't! Since when?
a. to be around
El costo medio de un sitio web anda por los $2000.The average cost of a website is around $2000.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to walk
Estoy agotada porque esta mañana anduve 20 kilómetros.I'm exhausted because I walked 20 kilometers this morning.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
10. (movement)
a. gait
Lo conocí de lejos por ese andar raro que tiene.I recognized him from a distance by his strange gait.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¡Qué andar tan raro tienen esos jóvenes!The way those youths walk is really strange!
Se le nota en el andar que tiene mucho dolor.You can tell by the way she walks that she's in a lot of pain.
andarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
los andares
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
12. (movement)
a. gait
El jefe entró en nuestra sala con andares decididos y dijo, "Tengo algo importante que comunicarles".The boss entered our room with a determined gait and said, "I have something important to tell you."
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Me gusta todo de ti, hasta los andares.I like everything about you, even the way you walk.
El Charlot de Charlie Chaplin tiene unos andares totalmente inconfundibles.The way Charlie Chaplin's tramp walks is completely unmistakeable.
poder, el poder(
poh
-
dehr
)An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. can
¿Me puedes pasar ese lápiz?Can you pass me that pencil?
¿Podría ver un menú, por favor?Could I see a menu, please?
c. to be allowed to
¿Podemos traer alcohol al concierto?Are we allowed to bring alcohol to the concert?
a. can
No sé si comer una sopa o un sándwich. - Podrías pedir el combo que trae mitad de un sándwich y una sopa.I don't know if I should have soup or a sandwich. - You could get the half-sandwich and soup combo.
b. may
Podrías llamar de nuevo al hotel a ver si tienen tu bufanda.You may want to call the hotel again to see if they found your scarf.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
b. to put up with
No puedo más contigo. Me estás volviendo loca.I can't put up with you any longer. You're driving me crazy.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
11. (ability)
12. (control)
13. (political)
a. power
El poder del presidente incluye vetar cualquier legislación pasada por el Congreso.Among the president's powers is the ability to veto any legislation passed by Congress.
a. possession
Tengo en mi poder un certificado que prueba la autenticidad de la pintura.I have in my possession a letter that proves the painting's authenticity.
15. (mechanical)
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
16. (colloquial) (to defeat)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
b. to be stronger than
El forzudo retó a cualquiera a ver si le pueden.The strongman challenged anyone to prove they're stronger than him.
los poderes
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
a. powers
A Daniel le confirieron los poderes para gestionar la empresa tras la muerte de su padre.After the death of his father, all the business' powers were passed to Daniel.
b. authority
El comité no tiene los poderes para confirmar el nombramiento.The committee doesn't have the authority to confirm the appointment.
