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"Puede" is a form of "poder", an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "to be able to". "Puede ser" is a phrase which is often translated as "maybe". Learn more about the difference between "puede ser" and "puede" below.
puede ser(
pweh
-
deh
sehr
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. maybe
¿Crees que a Ana le gusta Martín? - Puede ser. No lo sé.Do you think Ana likes Martín? - Maybe. I don't know.
b. perhaps
¿Vas a casarte con ella? - Puede ser. Ya veremos.Are you going to marry her? - Perhaps. We'll see.
c. it's possible
¿Habrá otro referendo? - Puede ser.Will there be another referendum? It's possible.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Crees que despedirán a papá? - Puede ser, pero no te preocupes.Do you think Pop will be dismissed? - He may be, but don't worry about it.
No habrá bebido el whisky Julián, ¿verdad? - Ni idea, pero supongo que puede ser.You don't think it was Julián who drank the whisky, do you? - I've no idea, but I suppose it could have been him.
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.
