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"Sería" is a form of "ser", a copular verb which is often translated as "to be". "Podría ser" is a phrase which is often translated as "he could be". Learn more about the difference between "sería" and "podría ser" below.
ser(
sehr
)
A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
copular verb
a. to be
Es alto y rubio.He's tall and blond.
Mi abuela es profesora.My grandma is a teacher.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. to be
Soy de Nueva York.I'm from New York.
a. to be
El lápiz es para escribir, no para lanzar.Pencils are for writing, not for throwing.
a. to be
¿Cuánto es el total? - Son diez dólares.How much does it come to? - It's ten dollars.
a. to be made of
El casillero antiguo de mi abuela es de roble.My grandma's antique dresser is made of oak.
a. to be
Este reloj es de mi madre.This watch is my mother's.
a. to be
La fiesta será en mi casa.The party will be at my place.
a. to root for
Yo soy del mejor equipo del mundo: FC Barcelona.I root for the best team in the world: FC Barcelona.
An impersonal verb is a verb with no apparent subject (e.g., Llueve en España.).
impersonal verb
a. to be
Son las siete de la mañana.It is seven in the morning.
Era de noche cuando llegaron.It was night when they arrived.
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.).
auxiliary verb
a. to be
El edificio fue diseñado por un equipo de arquitectos.The building was built by a team of architects.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. being
Hay un ser vivo en el lago, pero no sé qué es.There's a living being in the lake, but I don't know what it is.
a. person
Su papá es un ser muy agradable.Her dad is a very nice person.
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podría ser(
poh
-
dree
-
ah
 
sehr
)
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. he could be
¿Te cae bien Manuel? Podría ser el nuevo cantante de la banda.Do you like Manuel? He could be the singer of our band.
b. she could be
Carla dijo que ella podría ser la niñera de nuestros hijos.Carla said she could be the babysitter of our children.
c. could be
Esta película podría ser la próxima ganadora del Óscar.This movie could be the next Oscar winner.
d. it could be
Me gusta el cuento que escribiste. Podría ser mucho mejor si añadieras más personajes.I like the tale you wrote. It could be even better if you include more characters.
2.
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
(formal)
(second person singular)
a. you could be
Usted es muy mayor para mí. ¡Podría ser mi abuelo!You're too old for me. You could be my grandfather!
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