Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
45 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
Possible meanings of pouvoir
|
to be able to
can could may might to be allowed to to manage to |
|
|
pouvoir bien (avoir raison, e.g.)
|
could very well (be correct)
|
|
|
pouvoir ne pas + infinitive
|
to not have to, not be obliged to
|
|
|
n'en pouvoir plus
|
- to have had it, be worn out, not be able to take any more
- (informal) to be pleased as punch |
|
|
n'en pouvoir plus de + infinitive
|
to be fed up with, not be able to bear ___ing
|
|
|
n'en pouvoir plus de + noun
|
to be beside oneself with (joy, fear, anger, etc)
|
|
|
ça ne se peut pas (informal)
|
that's impossible
|
|
|
ça se peut (informal)
|
maybe, perhaps
|
|
|
C'est on ne peut mieux.
|
It couldn't be better.
|
|
|
comment se peut-il que...?
|
how can it be that...?
|
|
|
faire ce qu'on peut
|
to do what one can
|
|
|
Il peut (impersonal)
|
It may/could/might
|
|
|
Il peut y avoir
|
There may/might/could be
|
|
|
Il pourrait s'agir de
|
It could be / have to do with
|
|
|
Il pourrait se faire que
|
It may be that
|
|
|
Il se peut/pourrait que + subjunctive
|
It may be, it's possible that
|
|
|
Je n'y peux rien.
|
There's nothing I can do about it.
|
|
|
On ne peut plus + adjective
|
It couldn't be more ___ (or ___er)
|
|
|
On ne peut mieux.
|
No one could (be, do, etc.) better.
|
|
|
On n'y peut rien.
|
It can't be helped, There's nothing we can do.
|
|
|
Puisse le ciel...
|
May Heaven...
|
|
|
Qui peut le plus peut le moins. (proverb)
|
He who can do more can do less.
|
|
|
Que puis-je pour vous ? (formal)
|
What can I do for you? How may I help you?
|
|
|
s'il se peut
|
if it's (at all) possible
|
|
|
Tu peux ! Vous pouvez !
|
You should be! I should say so!
|
|
|
le pouvoir
|
power, ability
|
|
|
Puis-je m'asseoir ici ?
|
May I sit here?
|
|
|
Puis-je vous aider ?
|
May I help you?
|
|
|
Il peut être malade
|
He might/may be sick.
|
|
|
Tu peux le perdre
|
You might lose it.
|
|
|
Il a pu le faire
|
He could (and did) do it.
|
|
|
Il pouvait le faire
|
He could do it (he was capable)
|
|
|
Je n'ai pas pu sortir
|
I couldn't (and didn't) go out.
|
|
|
Je ne pouvais pas sortir
|
I couldn't go out (it was difficult).
|
|
|
Auriez-vous pu le faire ?
|
Could you have done it?
|
|
|
Il aurait pu le perdre
|
He might have lost it.
|
|
|
Pourriez-vous m'aider ?
|
Could you help me?
|
|
|
Je pourrais vous poser une question ?
|
May I ask you a question?
|
|
|
Puisse-t-il y réussir !
|
May he succeed!
|
|
|
Il se peut qu'elle vienne
|
It is possible that she will come, She may come.
|
|
|
Il se peut que nous soyons en retard
|
It's possible that we're late, We might be late.
|
|
|
Nous allons peut-être voir un film
|
We might see a movie, Perhaps we'll see a movie.
|
|
|
Pouvoir is one of a handful of French verbs that can be made negative with...
|
just ne, rather than ne... pas.
|
|
|
Je ne peux sortir
|
I can't go out.
|
|
|
Il ne peut vous aider
|
He can't help you.
|
