I could not

no pude

I could not(ay kood nat)

phrase

1. (preterite)

a. no pude

My throat hurt last week and I could not swallow.

Me dolía la garganta la semana pasada y no pude tragar.

2. (imperfect)

a. no podía

I could not swim when I was a child.

No podía nadar cuando era una niña.