pouvoir

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/pu.vwaʁ/

verbInf3rd

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.

Synonyms:être capable de, avoir la possibilité de, être en mesure de, être autorisé à

nounmasculine

power (political or institutional authority)

influence or capacity to act

Il a pris le pouvoir l'année dernière.

He took power last year.

Synonyms:autorité, puissance, influence

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."