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1.
verbPARTG3PasséSing
been able to
could
J'ai pas pu venir à ta soirée hier, j'étais trop crevé.
I couldn't come to your party yesterday, I was too exhausted.
Synonyms:réussi à, parvenu à, été capable de
Notes
GENERAL INFO
Pu is the past participle of the irregular French verb "pouvoir" (to be able to, can, may).
USAGE
It is primarily used with the auxiliary verb "avoir" to form compound tenses, like the passé composé: "J'ai pu venir" (I was able to come). It often translates to "been able to" or "could".
TRAPS
As a past participle with "avoir," pu almost always remains invariable and doesn't agree with the subject. Avoid confusing it with "pue" (from "puer" - to stink) or "pus" (from "pouvoir" in other tenses, or a noun).