Couldst Meaning in English
word · lemma: can
ˈkæn/, /kən
KUHLDST
kˈʊdst
KUHLDST
Definition
An old-fashioned word meaning 'could' (second person singular, 'you could'). Used in archaic or poetic English.
Usage & Nuances
"Couldst" is very archaic and almost never used in modern English except for religious texts (like the King James Bible), Shakespearean plays, or to sound old-fashioned or poetic. It is only used with 'thou' (old singular 'you'). Do not use in everyday conversation.
Spanish: podías - podías (arcaico)Portuguese (BR): poderias (arcaico)Portuguese (PT): poderias (arcaico)Chinese (Simplified): 你能（古语）Chinese (Traditional): 你能（古語）Hindi: तू कर सकता था (पुरातन/काव्यात्मक)Arabic: كنت تستطيع (قديم/شعرية)Bengali: করিতে পারতেRussian: мог быJapanese: できたまえ - できたならばVietnamese: có thể (cách cổ xưa)Korean: 하실 수 있나이까 (고어)Turkish: -ebilirdin (eski dil)Urdu: کر سکتا تھا (قدیم انداز)Indonesian: dapatkah (gaya kuno)
Example Sentences
Couldst thou help me, good sir?
basic
Couldst thou open the window?
basic
If only thou couldst see this garden!
basic
Think'st thou that thou couldst ever forgive?
natural
How couldst thou doubt my love for thee?
natural
If thou couldst but speak, what wouldst thou say?
natural