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"Puede" is a form of "poder", an auxiliary verb which is often translated as "to be able to". "Hace" is a form of "hacer", a transitive verb which is often translated as "to do". Learn more about the difference between "puede" and "hace" 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.
hacer(
ah
-
sehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
2. (to produce)
b. to prepare
Nos reuniremos este fin de semana para hacer la presentación.We will meet this weekend to prepare the presentation.
3. (to create)
a. to make
Hoy les enseñaré a hacer su propio sitio web.Today I'll show you how to make your own website.
a. to make
Estoy ocupado haciendo los preparativos para la fiesta.I'm busy making preparations for the party.
a. to do
Me mandó que lavara los platos pero ya lo había hecho.He told me to wash the dishes but I had already done it.
6. (to acquire)
7. (to cause)
8. (to imagine)
12. (to behave)
13. (to gross)
14. (to take time)
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
16. (time)
hacerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to make oneself
Creo que voy a hacerme un puré de zanahorias esta noche.I think I'm going to make myself some carrot soup tonight.
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
20. (to feign)
a. to pretend
No te hagas el santo; tú también te equivocas.Don't pretend to be a saint; you make mistakes, too.
21. (to turn into)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Ya va siendo hora de que se haga cortar el pelo.It's about time he had his hair cut.
Vamos a hacernos pintar la casa después del verano.We're going to have the house painted after the summer.
23. (to manage to)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Daniela solo ayuda en clase para hacerse ver.Daniela only helps out in class to get noticed.
Deberíamos darle una oportunidad para hacerse oír.We should give him a chance to be heard.
25. (to appear)
a. to feel
Hoy se me hizo muy largo esperando los resultados de la prueba.Today felt really long waiting for my test results.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
El curso se me está haciendo aburrido.I'm finding the course boring.
La película se me hizo interminable.The movie seemed interminable.
