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pot

I can / I am able to /pot/

verb#329 most common

Also: I may, I am capable of, (they) can

Example sentences

Nu pot acum.
I can't right now.
Pot să vin mâine?
Can I come tomorrow?
Copiii pot ieși la joacă după ce termină temele.
The children can go out to play after they finish their homework.
Din păcate, nu pot să te ajut cu asta acum.
Unfortunately, I can't help you with that right now.
Ei pot participa la concurs doar dacă se înscriu până vineri.
They can enter the contest only if they sign up by Friday.
Deși pot înțelege motivele tale, tot nu sunt de acord cu decizia.
Although I can understand your reasons, I still don't agree with the decision.

Conjugation

Present ActiveSimple Past ActiveSimple Future Active
1sgpotputuivoi putea
2sgpoțiputușivei putea
3sgpoateputuva putea
1plputemputurămvom putea
2plputețiputurățiveți putea
3plpotputurăvor putea

Word family

a puteato be able to, can
puterepower, strengthputernicpowerful, strong
neputințăpowerlessness, helplessness
atotputernicalmighty, all-powerful

Etymology

"Pot" is the first-person singular present form of the verb "a putea", meaning "to be able to" or "can". It comes from Vulgar Latin "potere", a reshaping of Classical Latin "posse" (to be able), which was itself built on "potis" (able, powerful) joined with "esse" (to be). The same Latin root produced French "pouvoir" and Italian "potere", which still mean both "to be able" and "power".

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