pouvoir

Senses

1. 1.

   can, to be able to

   to have the capacity or ability to do something

2. 2.

   may, might (permission or possibility)

   to be permitted or allowed to do something, or to express possibility

3. 3.

   power, authority (noun sense)

   strength, influence, or right to command (when used as a noun)

Examples

• "Je ne peux pas venir demain."

  I cannot come tomorrow.

• "Pouvez-vous m'aider ?"

  Can you help me?

• "Cela peut être dangereux."

  That may be dangerous.

Usage

Pouvoir is a highly frequent modal verb. In polite requests, use "Pouvez-vous..." rather than "Peux-tu...". The noun form "le pouvoir" (power, authority) is equally common. Note the irregular conjugation: je peux, tu peux, il peut, nous pouvons, vous pouvez, ils peuvent.