they could

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.
they could
A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
phrase
a. podían
They could see us, but they couldn't hear us.Podían vernos, pero no podían escucharnos.
a.
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
no direct translation
If they could help us, I'm sure they would.Si pudieran ayudarnos, seguramente lo harían.
It would make Grandma really happy if they could fly home to visit her.A la abuela la pondría muy contenta si pudieran viajar a casa para visitarla.
a. podrían
They could stay at my mother's place. I'll ask them if they can host them.Podrían quedarse en lo de mi madre. Le preguntaré si puede hospedarlos.
a. podrían
Don't eat those mushrooms. They could be poisonous.No comas esos hongos. Podrían ser venenosos.
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