pu

/py/pouvoir / puer
1.
verb (past participle)Part3rdPastSing

been able to; could (past participle of 'pouvoir', used in compound tenses)

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
2.
verb (past participle)Part1stPastSing

stank; smelled bad (past participle of 'puer')

Ton sac de sport a pu dans toute la voiture.

Your gym bag stank up the whole car.

Synonyms:sentir mauvais, schlinguer, empester

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).

pu - French Definition & Examples