could
word
/ˈkʊd/
KUD
/kˈʊd/
KUD
Definition
'Could' is used to talk about past ability, polite permission, and possibility. It is the past form of 'can' but also expresses hypothetical or uncertain situations.
Usage & Nuances
Formal and informal use. Common with polite requests like 'Could you help me?' Often confused with 'can' which is more direct. 'Could' implies possibility or polite tone, not just past ability. Also used in conditional sentences.
Spanish: podría - podría (pasado de can) - podría (posibilidad)Portuguese (BR): poderia - podia - poderia (passado de can)Portuguese (PT): poderia - podia - poderia (pretérito de can)Chinese (Simplified): 可以 (过去式) - 能 (可能性)Chinese (Traditional): 可以 (過去式) - 能 (可能性)Hindi: सकता था - सकता था (भविष्य में संभावना)Arabic: كان بإمكانه - قد (احتمالية)Bengali: পারে (অতীত) - পারত (বিনীত অনুরোধ/সম্ভাবনা)Russian: мог - могла - могли (прошедшее время) - мог бы (вежливая просьба/возможность)Japanese: できた（過去） - できるかもしれない - していただけますか（丁寧な依頼）Vietnamese: có thể (quá khứ/khả năng) - có thể (lịch sự/yếu tố khả năng)Korean: 할 수 있었다 (과거) - 할 수 있다 (가능성/정중한 부탁)Turkish: -ebilirdi (geçmiş) - -ebilir misiniz (nazik istek) - olabilir (olasılık)Urdu: سکتا تھا - سکتی تھی - سکتے تھے (ماضی/امکان/درخواست)Indonesian: bisa (bentuk lampau) - dapat (kemungkinan/permintaan sopan)
Example Sentences
Could you open the window, please?
basic
When I was younger, I could swim well.
basic
She said she could come to the party.
basic
If I could choose, I’d live by the beach.
natural
I wish I could speak French fluently.
natural
Could you help me with this heavy bag?
natural