Conjugate poder in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente)

Take the fastest path to fluent Spanish

Poder (to be able to / can) is irregular in El Presente in Spanish, using -ue in some of its forms.

Learn how to conjugate "poder" in El Presente in Spanish

yo puedo
puedes
él / ella / Ud. 
puede
nosotros / nosotras 
podemos
vosotros / vosotras 
podéis
ellos / ellas / Uds.   
pueden

Notice how the stem of all forms changes from -o- to -ue-, except nosotros and vosotros. The endings are the same as regular -er verbs: Conjugate regular -er verbs in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente).


Look at and listen to these examples:

Yo puedo nadar.I can swim.

¿Puedes venir a casa a las cinco?Can you come home at five?

Helena puede ir al viaje.Helena can go on the trip.

Nosotros podemos salir antes del trabajo hoy.We can leave early from work today.

¿Vosotros podéis ir al teatro este fin de semana?Can you go to the theatre this weekend?

Ustedes pueden entrar ya.You can enter now.

See also:

Stem-changing verbs in Spanish: -er verbs (o > ue) in the present tense (El Presente)

A1 Spanish verb list: Stem-changing verbs: present tense (o > ue)

Conjugate regular -er verbs in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente)

 

Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »

Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics

Examples and resources

Helena puede ir al viaje.Helena can go on the trip.
Ustedes pueden entrar ya.You can enter now.
Nosotros podemos salir antes del trabajo hoy.We can leave early from work today.
¿Vosotros podéis ir al teatro este fin de semana?Can you go to the theatre this weekend?
No puedo asistir a la reunión.I can't attend the meeting.
Yo puedo nadar.I can swim.
¿Puedes venir a casa a las cinco?Can you come home at five?
Thinking...