Join Discordpouvoir
to be able to (have the ability or possibility to do something)
may/might (expressing possibility)
to be allowed to / can (polite permission/request)
J'espère pouvoir venir demain.
I hope I can come tomorrow.
power (political or institutional authority)
influence or capacity to act
Il a pris le pouvoir l'année dernière.
He took power last year.
Notes
GENERAL INFO
Pouvoir means "to be able to" or "can." It functions as an irregular modal verb, often preceding another verb in its infinitive form.
USAGE
It expresses capability, possibility, or permission.
Example: "Je peux vous aider." (I can help you.)
Example: "On ne peut pas entrer ici." (We cannot enter here.)
TRAPS
Do not confuse pouvoir (to be able to) with "savoir" (to know how to do something, or to know a fact). Pouvoir also exists as a masculine noun meaning "power."
CONJUGATION - 3rd Group
Je peux
Tu peux
Il/elle/on peut
Nous pouvons
Vous pouvez
Ils/elles peuvent