A1 Present Tense 17 min read Easy

How to make polite requests (Poder)

To make any request polite in Portuguese, use the conjugated form of poder followed by the unchanged action verb.
Mark as Learned
Practice it

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'Poder' (to be able to) in the present tense to make polite requests by turning them into questions.

  • Use the 'você' form (pode) for standard polite requests: 'Pode me ajudar?'
  • Add 'por favor' to soften the request: 'Pode fechar a porta, por favor?'
  • In the negative, use 'não pode' to express prohibition or impossibility.
Pode + [Infinitive Verb] + [Object] + (por favor)?

Overview

Mastering poder is fundamental for any A1 Portuguese learner aiming to interact politely and effectively. This verb, meaning 'to be able to,' 'can,' or 'may,' functions as a modal verb, significantly altering the meaning and tone of other verbs. It enables you to make requests, ask for permission, or express capability without sounding demanding.

Understanding poder allows you to navigate common social situations, from ordering food to asking for directions, with cultural sensitivity.

At its core, poder empowers you to transform direct statements into courteous inquiries. Instead of simply stating an action, you can present it as a possibility or a request for enablement. This linguistic tool is crucial for fostering positive interactions and integrating smoothly into Portuguese-speaking environments.

Its versatility makes it one of the most frequently used verbs in daily conversation.

Conjugation Table

Person Brazilian Portuguese European Portuguese Translation
:------------- :------------------- :--------------------- :-------------------
Eu (I) eu posso eu posso I can/may
Você (You) você pode você pode You can/may (formal/informal BP)
Tu (You) tu podes tu podes You can/may (informal EP)
Ele/Ela (He/She) ele/ela pode ele/ela pode He/She can/may
Nós (We) nós podemos nós podemos We can/may
Vocês (You all) vocês podem vocês podem You all can/may (BP/formal EP)
Eles/Elas (They) eles/elas podem eles/elas podem They can/may

How This Grammar Works

Poder functions as an auxiliary verb, preceding another verb that remains in its infinitive form. This structure is characteristic of modal verbs in Portuguese. The conjugated form of poder carries the grammatical information about the subject (who is performing the action) and the tense (present, in this case).
The infinitive verb, which describes the main action, remains unchanged, simplifying sentence construction for learners.
Consider the sentence Eu como pão (I eat bread). This is a direct statement of action. When poder is introduced, such as in Eu posso comer pão? (Can I eat bread?), poder is conjugated (posso), while comer (to eat) stays in its infinitive form.
This structure allows poder to modify the 'mood' of comer, turning a statement into a question of permission or capability. The main verb thus retains its lexical meaning while poder conveys nuances of possibility, ability, or request.
This system is efficient because it means you only need to conjugate one verb (poder) to express a wide range of requests and possibilities. The infinitive verb, which represents the core action, avoids any changes in endings. This grammatical behavior is a cornerstone for polite communication in Portuguese and distinguishes it from direct, imperative commands.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming sentences with poder to express polite requests or possibilities follows a straightforward pattern. This pattern allows you to clearly communicate your intention while adhering to grammatical conventions. The key is to correctly conjugate poder and then immediately follow it with the infinitive form of the action verb.
2
The Basic Formula:
3
Subject + Conjugated Poder + Main Verb (Infinitive) + (Optional) Object/Complement
4
Let's break it down:
5
Identify the Subject: Determine who is performing or who is being asked to perform the action. This could be eu (I), você (you), nós (we), etc. This step dictates which form of poder you will use.
6
Conjugate Poder: Based on your subject, select the appropriate present tense form of poder from the conjugation table. For example, if the subject is você, you will use pode.
7
Add the Main Verb (Infinitive): Place the verb describing the primary action immediately after the conjugated poder. This verb must be in its dictionary form (ending in -ar, -er, or -ir). For instance, if you want to say 'open', use abrir; if 'help', use ajudar.
8
Include 'por favor' (Optional but Recommended): While not grammatically mandatory, adding por favor (please) significantly enhances the politeness of your request. It signals respect and consideration for the listener, reinforcing the courteous nature of the poder construction.
9
Here are examples demonstrating this pattern:
10
| Pattern | Example (Brazilian Portuguese) | Example (European Portuguese) | Translation |
11
| :-------------------------------------- | :---------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- | :---------------------------------- |
12
| Eu + posso + Infinitive | Eu posso entrar, por favor? | Eu posso entrar, por favor? | Can I come in, please? |
13
| Você + pode + Infinitive | Você pode me ajudar? | Você pode ajudar-me? | Can you help me? |
14
| Tu + podes + Infinitive | Tu podes passar o sal? (S. Brazil) | Tu podes passar o sal? | Can you pass the salt? |
15
| Nós + podemos + Infinitive | Nós podemos começar agora? | Nós podemos começar agora? | Can we start now? |
16
| Vocês + podem + Infinitive | Vocês podem falar mais alto? | Vocês podem falar mais alto? | Can you all speak louder? |
17
This pattern is versatile and forms the basis for countless polite interactions. Consistent application will rapidly improve your communicative effectiveness in Portuguese.

When To Use It

Poder is indispensable for a variety of communicative functions, primarily centered around politeness, permission, and capability. Its usage signals respect and offers the listener agency, fostering positive social interactions. Integrating poder into your vocabulary at an A1 level will significantly enhance your ability to engage in everyday conversations.
  1. 1Making Polite Requests: This is the most common and crucial application. By using poder, you transform a potential command into a gentle inquiry, allowing the other person the option to agree or decline. This is vital in customer service, formal settings, or simply when interacting with strangers. For example, instead of Dê-me uma água (Give me a water – direct command), you would say Você pode me trazer uma água, por favor? (Can you bring me a water, please?). This phrasing is much more courteous.
  • Pode me dizer as horas? (Can you tell me the time?)
  • O senhor pode me ajudar a encontrar a rua? (Can you help me find the street? – formal)
  • Você pode me passar o sal? (Can you pass me the salt?)
  1. 1Asking for Permission: Poder is the standard way to inquire if an action is allowed. This applies whether you are asking for permission for yourself or for someone else. The first-person singular Eu posso... is particularly useful here.
  • Eu posso usar seu telefone? (May I use your phone?)
  • Nós podemos sentar aqui? (May we sit here?)
  • Ele pode sair mais cedo hoje? (Can he leave earlier today?)
  1. 1Expressing Possibility or Capability (General Sense): While conseguir often refers to physical ability, poder can express a more general sense of possibility or whether something is feasible. It indicates that someone can do something, either because they have the means, the knowledge, or the general capacity.
  • Ela pode falar três idiomas. (She can speak three languages.)
  • Eu posso te encontrar às cinco. (I can meet you at five.)
  • Nós podemos resolver este problema. (We can solve this problem.)
  1. 1Asking for Information in a Softened Way: When seeking information, using poder softens the query, making it less abrupt than a direct question. This is especially useful when asking personal questions or for sensitive details.
  • Você pode me dar seu e-mail? (Can you give me your email?)
  • Pode me explicar como funciona? (Can you explain how it works?)
In all these contexts, poder acts as a politeness marker, crucial for navigating social dynamics in Portuguese. It allows you to communicate needs and desires while maintaining respect and courtesy.

When Not To Use It

While poder is widely used for polite requests and expressing possibility, there are specific contexts where its use might be less appropriate, redundant, or even misunderstood. Understanding these nuances helps avoid awkwardness and ensures more natural communication.
  1. 1For Direct Commands or Orders: When giving a direct instruction or command, particularly in situations where authority is clear (e.g., a parent to a child, a teacher in a classroom), using poder can sound hesitant or overly polite, weakening the command. In these cases, the imperative mood is more direct and fitting.
  • Incorrect: Você pode vir aqui! (You can come here!) – Sounds like a question of ability.
  • Correct: Venha aqui! (Come here!) – A direct command.
  1. 1When Physical or Mental Ability is the Primary Focus: If the core of your statement or question is about someone's physical strength, mental aptitude, or skill in overcoming a specific challenge, conseguir (to succeed, to manage, to be able to physically/mentally) is often a more precise verb. Poder leans more towards permission or general possibility.
  • Less precise: Você pode levantar essa caixa pesada? (Can you lift that heavy box?) – Implies permission.
  • More precise: Você consegue levantar essa caixa pesada? (Are you able to lift that heavy box?) – Implies physical capacity.
  1. 1When Expressing Strong Desire or Intent (without seeking permission/possibility): If you simply want to state a strong desire or an unhedged intention, querer (to want) or other direct verbs are more appropriate. Using poder would imply doubt or a request for permission where none is needed.
  • Less direct: Eu posso ir ao cinema. (I can go to the cinema.) – Implies possibility or permission.
  • More direct: Eu quero ir ao cinema. (I want to go to the cinema.) – States a clear desire.
  1. 1When Expressing Certainty: If an action is definitely going to happen or is a certain fact, using poder can introduce an unnecessary element of doubt. It is best reserved for situations where there is actual contingency or a need for polite framing.
  • Redundant: O sol pode nascer amanhã. (The sun can rise tomorrow.) – The rising of the sun is a certainty.
  • Correct: O sol nascerá amanhã. (The sun will rise tomorrow.) – States a certain future event.
Understanding these distinctions ensures that your Portuguese communication is not only grammatically correct but also contextually appropriate and natural-sounding.

Common Mistakes

Portuguese learners, particularly at the A1 level, frequently make specific errors when using poder. Recognizing and addressing these pitfalls early on is crucial for developing accurate and idiomatic usage. These mistakes often stem from direct translation from English or from a lack of exposure to natural Portuguese speech patterns.
  1. 1Double Conjugation: This is arguably the most common error. Learners incorrectly conjugate both poder and the main verb. Remember, only poder is conjugated; the main verb always remains in the infinitive form (-ar, -er, -ir).
  • Incorrect: Você pode falas português? (You can speaks Portuguese?)
  • Correct: Você pode falar português? (Can you speak Portuguese?)
  • Incorrect: Eu posso abro a porta. (I can opens the door.)
  • Correct: Eu posso abrir a porta. (I can open the door.)
  1. 1Confusing posso with pode when addressing 'you': In English, 'Can you...?' is a direct request. Learners sometimes mistakenly use Eu posso...? (Can I...?) when they intend to ask 'Can you...?' The subject must match the intended recipient of the action.
  • Incorrect (when addressing someone else): Eu posso me trazer uma cerveja? (Can I bring myself a beer?) – This phrasing asks permission for yourself to bring yourself a beer.
  • Correct (when asking someone else): Você pode me trazer uma cerveja? (Can you bring me a beer?)
  1. 1Incorrect Pronoun Usage with Formal Address: When using o senhor (sir) or a senhora (madam), learners sometimes incorrectly use você pode or tu podes. The formal titles require the third-person singular conjugation, which is identical to ele/ela pode.
  • Incorrect: O senhor pode vir aqui? (Using você conjugation for o senhor)
  • Correct: O senhor pode vir aqui? (Using ele/ela conjugation pode for o senhor)
  1. 1Omitting por favor in requests: While grammatically optional, omitting por favor in a request made with poder can still sound blunt or less polite, especially in certain contexts or with strangers. It's a key politeness marker.
  • Less polite: Pode me ajudar? (Can you help me?)
  • More polite: Pode me ajudar, por favor? (Can you help me, please?)
  1. 1Confusing poder with conseguir: As discussed, poder often implies permission or general possibility, while conseguir refers more specifically to physical or mental ability to achieve something. Using poder when conseguir is more appropriate can subtly shift the meaning.
  • Confusing: Você pode correr uma maratona? (Can you run a marathon? – implies permission or general possibility)
  • Clearer (if asking about physical ability): Você consegue correr uma maratona? (Are you able to run a marathon?)
Attentiveness to these common errors will significantly improve the accuracy and naturalness of your Portuguese. Practice actively self-correcting and listening for native speaker patterns.

Memory Trick

To remember the core conjugation and function of poder at the A1 level, think of it as the Politeness Operator. Poder is your Passport to Politeness, always followed by an Infinitive (P+I).

- P for Poder: The verb itself, your key to courtesy.

- I for Infinitive: The second verb always stays in its original, dictionary form.

For the irregular eu posso, imagine a Powerful Person (Eu) who can Possibly posso do anything, hence the 'u' sound. For everyone else, the 'o' remains, just like a normal People pode act in a normal way. This simple association can help solidify the conjugation and the two-verb structure.

Real Conversations

Observing poder in authentic communication provides invaluable insight into its practical application across various social settings. These examples highlight the versatility and natural rhythm of the verb in Portuguese.

S

Scenario 1

Ordering at a Café (Brazilian Portuguese)

- Customer: Oi, você pode me trazer um pão de queijo e um café, por favor? (Hi, can you bring me a cheese bread and a coffee, please?)

- Barista: Claro! Mais alguma coisa? (Of course! Anything else?)

Here, você pode me trazer is the standard polite request for service.

S

Scenario 2

Asking for Directions (European Portuguese)

- Tourist: Com licença, podes indicar-me onde fica o Castelo de São Jorge? (Excuse me, can you show me where São Jorge Castle is? – informal, using tu)

- Local: Sim, podes ir por ali, é reto. (Yes, you can go that way, it's straight ahead.)

This shows podes used informally and podes ir indicating a possible route. In a more formal setting, Pode-me indicar...? would be used.

S

Scenario 3

Social Media Interaction (General Portuguese)

- Commenter: Adorei o vídeo! Você pode fazer a parte 2? (Loved the video! Can you make part 2?)

- Creator: Sim, posso sim! Fiquem ligados! (Yes, I can! Stay tuned!)

This demonstrates você pode fazer as a common request on digital platforms and posso as an affirmative response.

S

Scenario 4

Workplace/Study Group (Brazilian Portuguese)

- Colleague A: Nós podemos nos reunir às dez da manhã? (Can we meet at ten in the morning?)

- Colleague B: Hmm, não sei. Eu posso às onze. (Hmm, I don't know. I can at eleven.)

Here, Nós podemos asks about the possibility of a meeting time, and Eu posso expresses one's own availability.

These examples illustrate that poder is not confined to formal situations but is an intrinsic part of everyday, natural communication, from the casual to the slightly more formal. Pay attention to how native speakers use it to mirror their patterns.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

To truly grasp poder, it's essential to distinguish it from other Portuguese verbs that, at first glance, might seem similar but carry distinct meanings and implications. Confusing these can lead to miscommunication or an unintended tone.
  1. 1Poder vs. Querer (to want):
  • Poder implies possibility, ability, or permission. It softens a request, offering the listener a choice.
  • Você pode me passar o açúcar? (Can you pass me the sugar?) – A polite request.
  • Querer expresses desire or intention. A direct statement with querer can sound like a command or an expectation, lacking the politeness of poder.
  • Eu quero um café. (I want a coffee.) – A direct statement of desire, often used when ordering, but less polite than poder for a request.
  • Você quer me passar o açúcar? (Do you want to pass me the sugar?) – Asks about their desire, not their ability or willingness to perform a favor.
  1. 1Poder vs. Saber (to know):
  • Poder relates to capability or permission to perform an action.
  • Eu posso nadar. (I can swim.) – Implies the ability to swim.
  • Saber relates to knowledge, facts, or learned skills. It means 'to know how to do something' as a result of learning.
  • Eu sei nadar. (I know how to swim.) – Implies having the skill of swimming. While often interchangeable in English, in Portuguese, saber emphasizes the acquired skill, whereas poder emphasizes the general capacity or permission.
  1. 1Poder vs. Conseguir (to succeed, to manage, to be able to):
  • Poder focuses on permission or general possibility/ability. It asks if it's permissible or generally feasible.
  • Você pode abrir a janela? (Can you open the window?) – Asking for permission or a polite favor.
  • Conseguir emphasizes physical, mental, or logistical ability to perform a specific task, often implying overcoming a challenge or effort. It asks if someone is capable of achieving the action.
  • Você consegue abrir a janela? (Are you able to open the window?) – Asking if they have the strength or means, e.g., if it's stuck.
  1. 1Poder (present) vs. Poderia (conditional):
  • Poder in the present tense (pode, posso, etc.) is the most common form for everyday polite requests. It's direct but courteous.
  • Você pode me emprestar uma caneta? (Can you lend me a pen?)
  • Poderia is the conditional form ('could'). It is generally more formal and even more indirect, implying a higher degree of politeness or hypothetical situation. While you won't fully cover the conditional until later CEFR levels, it's good to recognize its existence.
  • Você poderia me emprestar uma caneta? (Could you lend me a pen?) – More formal or tentative.
By understanding these distinctions, you can choose the most appropriate verb to convey your exact meaning and level of politeness in any given situation.

Progressive Practice

1

Consistent and varied practice is paramount for internalizing the use of poder. Move beyond rote memorization by engaging in active exercises that simulate real-life interactions. Start simple and gradually increase complexity.

2

Sentence Building: Begin by constructing simple sentences. Choose a subject, conjugate poder, and add an infinitive verb. Focus on getting the eu posso conjugation correct due to its irregularity. Practice with all pronouns:

- Eu posso ajudar. (I can help.)

- Você pode esperar. (You can wait.)

- Nós podemos tentar. (We can try.)

3

Contextual Requests: Create mini-scenarios. Imagine yourself in a café, a store, or asking a friend for a favor. Formulate appropriate requests using poder.

- Café: Você pode me trazer o cardápio, por favor? (Can you bring me the menu, please?)

- Store: Eu posso pagar com cartão? (Can I pay with card?)

4

Role-Playing and Conversation: If possible, practice with a language partner or tutor. Take turns making requests and granting/denying permission using poder.

-

Conjugation of 'Poder' (Present Indicative)

Pronoun Conjugation
Eu
Posso
Tu
Podes
Você/Ele/Ela
Pode
Nós
Podemos
Vós
Podeis
Vocês/Eles/Elas
Podem

Meanings

The verb 'poder' functions as a modal verb to express ability, permission, or to make polite requests.

1

Polite Request

Asking someone to do something in a soft, respectful way.

“Pode me dar um café?”

“Pode falar mais devagar?”

2

Permission

Asking if an action is allowed.

“Posso entrar?”

“Posso sentar aqui?”

Reference Table

Reference table for How to make polite requests (Poder)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Pode + Infinitive
Pode ajudar?
Negative
Não pode + Infinitive
Não pode entrar.
Question
Pode + [Subject] + Infinitive?
Pode você vir?
Permission
Posso + Infinitive?
Posso sair?
Suggestion
Pode + Infinitive
Pode tentar de novo.
Short Answer
Pode / Não pode
Pode, sim.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Poderia me auxiliar, por gentileza?

Poderia me auxiliar, por gentileza? (Asking for help)

Neutral
Pode me ajudar, por favor?

Pode me ajudar, por favor? (Asking for help)

Informal
Pode me dar uma mão?

Pode me dar uma mão? (Asking for help)

Slang
Dá uma força aí?

Dá uma força aí? (Asking for help)

Uses of Poder

Poder

Requests

  • Pode me ajudar? Can you help me?

Permission

  • Posso entrar? Can I enter?

Possibility

  • Pode ser. It could be.
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Pode me ajudar?

Can you help me?

2

Pode repetir?

Can you repeat?

3

Pode falar devagar?

Can you speak slowly?

4

Pode abrir a porta?

Can you open the door?

1

Posso sentar aqui?

Can I sit here?

2

Não pode fumar aqui.

You cannot smoke here.

3

Podemos ir agora?

Can we go now?

4

Pode me dar um copo de água?

Can you give me a glass of water?

1

Poderia me informar o horário?

Could you inform me of the time?

2

Você pode me explicar isso?

Can you explain this to me?

3

Não se pode fazer isso.

One cannot do that.

4

Pode ser que eu vá.

It may be that I go.

1

Pode-se dizer que é um bom plano.

It can be said that it is a good plan.

2

Poderia ter sido pior.

It could have been worse.

3

Não pode deixar de ver este filme.

You cannot miss this movie.

4

Pode vir quando quiser.

You can come whenever you want.

1

Poderá vir a ser um problema.

It may eventually become a problem.

2

Não se pode negar a evidência.

One cannot deny the evidence.

3

Pode-se considerar várias opções.

One can consider several options.

4

Poderia ter sido evitado.

It could have been avoided.

1

Poder-se-ia argumentar que...

One could argue that...

2

Não se pode senão concordar.

One cannot but agree.

3

Pode dar-se o caso de...

It may be the case that...

4

Poderia ser que não houvesse tempo.

It could be that there was no time.

Easily Confused

How to make polite requests (Poder) vs Poder vs Pedir

Both relate to requests, but 'Poder' is the modal verb and 'Pedir' is the main verb.

How to make polite requests (Poder) vs Poder vs Querer

Both are used for requests.

How to make polite requests (Poder) vs Pode vs Podem

Singular vs Plural.

Common Mistakes

✗

Pode ajudas-me?

✓

Pode me ajudar?

Second verb must be infinitive.
✗

Eu posso que você venha.

✓

Pode vir?

Avoid complex clauses.
✗

Pode eu entrar?

✓

Posso entrar?

Subject pronoun is usually dropped.
✗

Pode ajuda?

✓

Pode ajudar?

Must use full infinitive.
✗

Não pode fazer isso.

✓

Não se pode fazer isso.

Passive voice is better for general rules.
✗

Pode me dando?

✓

Pode me dar?

No gerund after modal.
✗

Pode que sim.

✓

Pode ser.

Idiomatic expression.
✗

Poderia ter ajudado-me.

✓

Poderia ter me ajudado.

Pronoun placement.
✗

Pode ser que ele vem.

✓

Pode ser que ele venha.

Subjunctive needed.
✗

Eu poderia de ir.

✓

Eu poderia ir.

No 'de' after modal.
✗

Poder-se-ia ter feito melhor.

✓

Poder-se-ia ter feito melhor.

Actually correct, but often misused in context.
✗

Não se pode senão que aceitar.

✓

Não se pode senão aceitar.

Grammar structure.
✗

Pode dar-se o caso que...

✓

Pode dar-se o caso de que...

Preposition missing.

Sentence Patterns

Pode ___ , por favor?

Posso ___ aqui?

Não pode ___ neste lugar.

Poderia ___ mais devagar?

Real World Usage

Restaurant very common

Pode trazer a conta?

Texting constant

Pode me ligar?

Job Interview common

Poderia repetir a pergunta?

Travel common

Pode me mostrar o mapa?

Food Delivery common

Pode deixar na porta?

Classroom very common

Pode explicar de novo?

Sign up free to see all examples
💡

Rising Intonation

Always raise your voice at the end of the sentence to show it's a question.
⚠️

Don't conjugate the second verb

Keep it in the infinitive form (ending in -ar, -er, -ir).
🎯

Add 'por favor'

It makes you sound 100% more polite instantly.
💬

Pode as 'Yes'

In Brazil, people often say 'Pode' to mean 'Yes, go ahead'.

Smart Tips

Add 'por favor' to the end.

Pode me ajudar? → Pode me ajudar, por favor?

Use 'Posso' instead of 'Pode'.

Pode eu entrar? → Posso entrar?

Use the conditional 'Poderia'.

Pode me dar isso? → Poderia me dar isso?

Use 'Podemos'.

Pode nós ir? → Podemos ir?

Pronunciation

pɔ-de

Open 'o'

The 'o' in 'pode' is open (ɔ).

pɔ-d(i)

Final 'e'

The final 'e' is often silent or a very short 'i' sound.

Rising

Pode me ajudar? ↗

Indicates a question/request.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Poder is Power: If you have the power (poder), you can do it.

Visual Association

Imagine a superhero named 'Poder' who can do anything. Whenever you ask for help, you are calling on 'Poder' to make it possible.

Rhyme

Para pedir com educação, use 'Pode' na sua oração.

Story

Maria is in a new city. She asks 'Pode me ajudar?' to a local. The local smiles and says 'Posso!'. Maria feels happy because she used the right verb.

Word Web

PossoPodesPodePodemosPodemPoderiaPossibilidade

Challenge

Ask 3 people for small favors today using 'Pode...' in Portuguese.

Cultural Notes

Brazilians often use 'Pode' to mean 'Yes, sure'.

In Portugal, 'Poder' is formal; 'Podes' is used for friends.

Adding 'por favor' is essential for politeness.

Comes from the Latin 'potere'.

Conversation Starters

“

Pode me dizer as horas?

“

Posso sentar aqui?

“

Pode me explicar essa regra?

“

Poderia me ajudar com este projeto?

Journal Prompts

Write 5 things you can do in your city.
Write a polite request to a teacher.
Describe a situation where you asked for permission.
Discuss the rules of a library using 'não pode'.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

___ você me ajudar?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pode
Pode is the correct form for 'você'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pode me ajudar?
Infinitive is required.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Pode me ajudas?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pode me ajudar
Infinitive required.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você pode me ajudar?
Standard word order.
Translate to Portuguese. Translation

Can I enter?

Answer starts with: Pos...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Posso entrar?
First person singular.
Conjugate for 'Nós'. Conjugation Drill

Poder (Nós)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Podemos
Correct conjugation.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: You / I / They
Correct pronouns.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ___ entrar? B: Sim, pode.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Posso
Asking for permission.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

___ você me ajudar?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pode
Pode is the correct form for 'você'.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pode me ajudar?
Infinitive is required.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Pode me ajudas?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Pode me ajudar
Infinitive required.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

ajudar / me / pode / você / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você pode me ajudar?
Standard word order.
Translate to Portuguese. Translation

Can I enter?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Posso entrar?
First person singular.
Conjugate for 'Nós'. Conjugation Drill

Poder (Nós)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Podemos
Correct conjugation.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Pode / Posso / Podem

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: You / I / They
Correct pronouns.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: ___ entrar? B: Sim, pode.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Posso
Asking for permission.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank with the 'eu' form to ask for permission. Fill in the Blank

Eu ___ entrar?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: posso
Translate 'Can you (plural) speak slower?' Translation

Translate to Portuguese:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vocês podem falar mais devagar?
Fix the verb form error. Error Correction

O senhor pode traz a conta?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O senhor pode trazer a conta?
Reorder the words to make a polite request. Sentence Reorder

pode / me / ajudar / você / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você pode me ajudar?
Match the person to the correct form of 'poder'. Match Pairs

Match person and verb:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu -> Posso
Which is correct for asking an older man for a favor? Multiple Choice

Select the formal version:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O senhor pode ajudar?
Complete the group request. Fill in the Blank

Nós ___ sentar aqui?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: podemos
Reorder the words to ask for a photo. Sentence Reorder

tirar / pode / uma / foto / você / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você pode tirar uma foto?
Translate 'Can I go to the bathroom?' Translation

Translate to Portuguese:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu posso ir ao banheiro?
Pick the correct European Portuguese informal request. Multiple Choice

Portugal style:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Podes me ajudar?

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Yes, it is the standard polite form. Use it for requests.

In the present tense, it implies immediate possibility.

It means 'It is possible/allowed'.

'Poderia' is the conditional, which is even more polite.

Usually it is followed by a verb. For nouns, use 'Ter'.

Yes, it has a stem change in the first person.

Just add 'não' before 'pode'.

Yes, but 'Podes' is used for informal 'you'.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Poder

Pronunciation of the 'd'.

French moderate

Pouvoir

French uses 'pouvoir' as a noun more often.

German partial

Können

German modals don't take 'zu' (infinitive marker).

Japanese low

~koto ga dekiru

Portuguese is a verb-based modal.

Arabic low

Istata'a

Arabic is not a Romance language.

Chinese low

Néng

Chinese verbs never change.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
The Verb PODER: Can, May, & Ability
Next
The Verb SABER: Facts & Skills (to know)

Learn These First

A1 Requires

The Verb PODER: Can, May, & Ability

Overview The verb `poder` is a cornerstone of Portuguese grammar, serving as the primary equivalent for 'can,' 'to be ab...

Related Grammar Rules

A1

Portuguese -ER Verbs: The Present Tense (comer, beber)

Overview Portuguese regular verbs are categorized into three groups based on their infinitive endings: `-ar`, `-er`, and...
A1

Portuguese Verb SER: Who You Are (to be - permanent)

Overview The Portuguese verb `ser` is one of two fundamental verbs translating to 'to be' in English. It describes **inh...
A1

Present Tense: Regular -IR Verbs (Opening & Deciding)

Overview The Portuguese language organizes its verbs into three primary conjugations: those ending in `-ar`, `-er`, and...
A1

Portuguese Verb 'Ter' (To Have/Age)

Overview In Portuguese, the verb `ter` is foundational, much like "to have" in English. However, its usage extends signi...
A1

The Verb 'Fazer': To Do and To Make

Overview The Portuguese verb `fazer` is a fundamental and highly versatile verb, serving as the equivalent of both "to d...
Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!