Voices en Español

Spanish verbs are so versatile. When you study Spanish grammar, you learn that some verbs change completely in meaning depending on whether they are in the past or present tense. Good examples are the verbs poder and saber. Both of these verbs mean can in English but with a difference. Learn how to use these Spanish verbs correctly.

PODER: Use when you refer to capability or ability

Francisco no puede nadar. Francisco can’t (is unable to) swim.

SABER: Use when you want to convey “to know how to…”

Francisco no sabe nadar. Francisco can’t (doesn’t know how to) swim.

When they are put in the past tense, poder and saber change in meaning from their present tense forms. Poder in the simple past tense means succeeded. Saber in the simple past tense means found out.

Examples:

Tras muchos años de trabajo, Julia pudo publicar su novela. (After many years of work, Julia succeeded in publishing her novel.)

Supe ayer que mi mejor amiga iba a casarse. (I found out yesterday that my best friend was getting married.)