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"Potencia" is a form of "potencia", a noun which is often translated as "power". "Poder" is an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "to be able to". Learn more about the difference between "poder" and "potencia" below.
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.
la potencia(
poh
-
tehn
-
syah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (capability)
a. power
Carlos está entrenando duro para desarrollar la potencia de sus piernas, y así poder levantar más peso.Carlos is training hard to develop his leg power and be able to lift greater weights.
b. strength
El comandante no conocía el tamaño ni la potencia de las fuerzas enemigas.The commander did not know the size or strength of the enemy forces.
c. prowess
Muchas personas creen que comer ostras aumenta la potencia sexual.Many people believe that eating oysters increases sexual prowess.
d. potency
La potencia de un fármaco es la dosis necesaria para producir una respuesta dada en un individuo.The potency of a drug is the dose needed to produce a certain defined response in an individual.
a. power
Los Estados Unidos, Alemania y China son consideradas las tres mayores potencias en el mundo hoy día.The United States, Germany and China are considered the world's top three great powers today.
3. (physics)
a. power
El alternador transforma la potencia mecánica del motor en potencia eléctrica.The alternator converts the mechanical power of the motor into electrical power.
5. (philosophy)
a. faculty
La razón y la voluntad son potencias superiores del espíritu humano.Reasoning and will power are among the higher faculties of the human spirit.
