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"No poder" is an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "not be able to", and "llamar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to call". Learn more about the difference between "no poder" and "llamar" below.
no poder(
noh
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. not be able to
Es desesperante tener tanta injusticia delante y no poder hacer nada.It's infuriating to witness so much injustice and not be able to do anything about it.
b. to be unable to
Mi marido tiene un pésimo sentido de la orientación. No puede leer un mapa.My husband has a dreadful sense of direction. He's unable to read a map.
c. cannot
Yo no puedo bailar tan bien como mi hermana.I cannot dance as well as my sister does.
Pablo es un buen pianista pero no puede cantar.Pablo is a good pianist but he cannot sing.
a. to not be allowed to
Los menores de 16 años no pueden comprar alcohol.Those under 16 are not allowed to buy alcohol.
b. cannot
Aquí no puedes fumar, tendrás que salir afuera.You cannot smoke here. You'll have to go outside.
c. may not
Papá, ¿puedo ir a una fiesta esta noche en la disco? - No, no puedes.Dad, may I go to a party tonight at the disco? - No, you may not.
a. cannot
No puede ser que no se hayan dado cuenta de que estamos aquí.They cannot have not noticed that we are here.
Se equivocó de día. Es mañana cuando tiene cita con el doctor. - No puede ser.You've got the day wrong. It's tomorrow that you have an appointment with the doctor. - That's impossible.
a. cannot
No puedo dejarles tirados después de todo lo que hicieron por mí.I cannot let them down after everything they've done for me.
No podían por menos que dar apoyo moral a su hijo.The least they could do was to give moral support to their son.
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No puedo con su marido; es repugnante.I can't stand her husband; he's revolting.
No sé cómo Ana puede con un jefe así.I don't know how Ana puts up with a boss like that.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No puedo con este calor. ¡Es demasiado!I can't stand this heat. It's too much!
Ya sé que este trabajo es mi única fuente de ingresos, pero no puedo más.I know this job is my only source of income, but I can't stand it any longer.
a. to not manage
Yo no podría con tanta responsabilidad como ella.I could not manage the responsibility she has.
llamar(
yah
-
mahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to call
Llama a tu hermano para que te ayude a poner la mesa.Call your brother to help you set the table.
a. to call
Tengo otra persona en la línea. Tendré que llamarte en unos minutos.I have someone else on the line. I'll have to call you in a few minutes.
3. (to attract)
a. to appeal to
La idea de trabajar los fines de semana no me llama mucho.The idea of working on the weekends doesn't appeal to me very much.
a. to call
Mi nombre es Francisco, pero mis amigos me llaman "Paquito".My name is Francisco, but my friends call me "Paquito."
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
6. (to summon)
llamarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to be called
Se llama Emilia en honor a su abuela.She's called Emilia in honor of her grandmother.
c. to call oneself
Decidió llamarse Rex como nombre artístico.He decided to call himself Rex as his stage name.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Cómo se llaman tus hermanos?What are your brothers' names?
¿Cómo te llamas, amigo?What's your name, buddy?
