poder
to be able to/can
📚 poder is a stem-changing verb (o-ue). Learn more in our Stem-Changing Verbs Guide
Non-Conjugated Forms
poder
to be able to/can
pudiendo
Present Participle
podido
Used in perfect tenses
Indicative Mood
Used for statements of fact, certainty, and objective reality
| Person | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | puedo | podí | podía | poderé | podería |
| tú | puedes | podiste | podías | poderás | poderías |
| él/ella/usted | puede | podió | podía | poderá | podería |
| nosotros | podemos | podimos | podíamos | poderemos | poderíamos |
| vosotros | podéis | podisteis | podíais | poderéis | poderíais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | pueden | podieron | podían | poderán | poderían |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Perfect Tenses
Compound tenses using auxiliary verb "haber" + past participle
| Person | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | he podido | había podido | habré podido | habría podido |
| tú | has podido | habías podido | habrás podido | habrías podido |
| él/ella/usted | ha podido | había podido | habrá podido | habría podido |
| nosotros | hemos podido | habíamos podido | habremos podido | habríamos podido |
| vosotros | habéis podido | habíais podido | habréis podido | habríais podido |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | han podido | habían podido | habrán podido | habrían podido |
| Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test | Quick Test |
Subjunctive Mood
Used for doubt, emotion, desire, possibility, and hypothetical situations
| Person | ||
|---|---|---|
| yo | pueda | podiera |
| tú | puedas | podieras |
| él/ella/usted | pueda | podiera |
| nosotros | podamos | podiéramos |
| vosotros | podáis | podierais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | puedan | podieran |
| Quick Test | Quick Test |
Imperative Mood
Used for commands, requests, and instructions
| Person | |
|---|---|
| yo | - |
| tú | pode |
| él/ella/usted | poda |
| nosotros | podamos |
| vosotros | poded |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | podan |
| Quick Test |
🎯 Practice poder
Test your knowledge of poder conjugations across multiple tenses
Stem Change Pattern: o-ue
This verb follows the o-ue pattern. The stem change occurs in present indicative and present subjunctive, affecting the "boot" forms (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, ellos/ellas/ustedes). Some -ir verbs also have stem changes in preterite (él/ella and ellos/ellas forms).
Usage Tips
- Indicative: Use for facts, statements, and objective reality
- Subjunctive: Use after expressions of doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty
- Imperative: Use for direct commands and requests
- Perfect Tenses: Use to express actions completed relative to another time
Examples and Common Phrases
Examples
Common Phrases
Verb Information
Category
Essential
Ending Type
-er verb
Verb Type
Stem-changing verb
Importance Rank
#7 out of 100
Usage Tips
Remember the "Boot"
Stem-changing verbs change in a "boot" shape: yo, tú, él/ella, and ellos/ellas change, but nosotros and vosotros don't. Draw a boot around the changing forms to remember!
High Priority!
This is one of the top 10 most important Spanish verbs. Make sure to practice it regularly and memorize its conjugations.
Practice Suggestion
Try creating your own sentences with this verb. Start with simple present tense sentences and gradually work up to more complex constructions.