Translation
to be able to, can
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Word origin
From Vulgar Latin potere, a reshaping of the irregular Latin posse ('to be able'). The noun sense ('power') comes from the same verb used as a noun.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- potere
- English cognates
- power, potent, possible
Grammar
Conjugation
Regular french-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: je, tu, il/elle, nous, vous, ils/elles.
Indicative
| Person | Present | Imperfect | Past historic | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | peux | pouvais | pus | pourrai | pourrais |
| tu | peux | pouvais | pus | pourras | pourrais |
| il/elle | peut | pouvait | put | pourra | pourrait |
| nous | pouvons | pouvions | pûmes | pourrons | pourrions |
| vous | pouvez | pouviez | pûtes | pourrez | pourriez |
| ils/elles | peuvent | pouvaient | purent | pourront | pourraient |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect |
|---|---|---|
| je | puisse | pusse |
| tu | puisses | pusses |
| il/elle | puisse | pût |
| nous | puissions | pussions |
| vous | puissiez | pussiez |
| ils/elles | puissent | pussent |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- pouvant
- Past participle
- pu
Examples
, .
I cannot come this evening, sorry.
?
Can you help me with these suitcases?
.
We can meet up tomorrow if you like.
.
She could not sleep because of the noise.
, .
I can't come on Saturday, I already have something else on.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(34)Juste un dîner
1 min read · Core 1000
Au club de foot
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Chez la famille d'accueil
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Un portable cassé
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Le défi de Malik
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Le premier jour de travail
3 min read · Core 1000
Le stage de Nour
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Les Étoiles du quartier
3 min read · Core 5000
Un secret lourd à porter
3 min read · Core 5000
Un week-end à la ferme
3 min read · Core 5000
Clara trouve sa place
4 min read · Core 5000
Le coffre du jardin
4 min read · Core 5000
Le mensonge de Théo
4 min read · Core 5000
Un message pour Hélène
4 min read · Core 5000
Adieu, madame Rochat
5 min read · Core 5000
C'est plus logique
5 min read · Core 5000
Ceux qui ne mangent jamais
5 min read · Core 5000
Il y avait beaucoup à lire
5 min read · Core 5000
J'aime bien ranger
5 min read · Core 5000
Je ne conduis pas de train
5 min read · Core 5000
L'homme dont elle parle
5 min read · Core 5000
Le parcours était mal fait
5 min read · Core 5000
Le seul qui puisse
5 min read · Core 5000
Mais vous, oui
5 min read · Core 5000
On dîne chez Laurie
5 min read · Core 5000
Paper Walls
5 min read · Core 5000
Pas devant les clients
5 min read · Core 1000
Pas encore
5 min read · Core 5000
Pas un mot avant dimanche
5 min read · Core 5000
Quand tu auras fini
5 min read · Core 5000
Si j'avais su
5 min read · Core 5000
Un trou dans le graphique
5 min read · Core 5000
Une paire par maison
5 min read · Core 5000
Vingt minutes dans le noir
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
(19)Advanced French Grammar (C1-C2): Constructions to Master
French Grammar Cheat Sheet: The Essentials on One Page
French Conditional Tense (Conditionnel): Endings and Uses
Regular -ir Verbs in French: Present Tense Conjugation
French Conjugation: Tables for Every Tense and Group
French Future Tense: Futur Simple vs Futur Proche
French Infinitive or Subjunctive? The Same-Subject Rule
Intermediate French Grammar (B1-B2): What Breaks the Plateau
French Irregular Verbs: List, Chart and the Patterns
French Modal Verbs: pouvoir, vouloir, devoir, savoir
French Nominalisation: le déjeuner, le vieux, le français
Passé Composé vs Imparfait: Choosing the French Past Tense
French Passé Composé: Formation and Conjugation Tables
French Passé Simple (Past Historic): How to Recognise It
French Perception Verbs + Infinitive: voir, entendre
French Question Words and the 3 Ways to Ask a Question
Should Have in French: j'aurais dû, tu aurais pu
French Present Subjunctive Conjugation Tables and Irregulars
French Verbs Followed by à or de: The Infinitive Lists
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French · Free printables
pouvoir: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the French word "pouvoir" (to be able to, can): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 3: pouvoir, en, on and 11 more words.