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could
- Dictionary
USAGE NOTE
In English "could" is classified as an auxiliary verb to indicate the past of "can," the past conditional, a less forceful version of "can" in the present, or a polite version of "can" in the present. In Spanish these functions are expressed by verb inflections.
could(
kood
)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. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
He could play the piano when he was three.Sabía tocar el piano a los tres años.
I came as soon as I could.Vine en cuanto pude.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Joe said he would help us if he could get off work early.Joe dijo que nos ayudaría si podía salir temprano del trabajo.
We would move if we could afford anything bigger, but everywhere is too expensive.Nos mudaríamos si pudiéramos permitirnos algo más grande, pero todo es demasiado caro.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I could take your aunt to her hospital appointment if you'd like.Si quieres, yo podría llevar a tu tía a su cita en el hospital.
You could try him on his cell phone.Podrías llamarlo al celular.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Could I give you a hand with those bags?¿Le puedo ayudar con las bolsas?
Could you get me a glass of water, please?¿Me traes un vaso de agua, por favor?
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
That's what my boss told me but she could be lying.Eso es lo que me dijo la jefa pero puede que mienta.
The key speaker hasn't arrived yet but he could be stuck in traffic.El orador principal no ha llegado todavía pero puede que se encuentre en un atasco.
Examples
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