Along with saber and conocer, the two verbs we studied in our previous episode, poder and querer are the other two verbs that can change meaning when they are used in the preterit. The verb poder means “to be able to” and “can” in the present, but in the preterite it also means “to manage, to succeed.” The verb querer means “to want, to love” in the present, but it also means “to try” in the preterit. Thes second meaning in the preterit is more common than their original meaning.
Furthermore, when poder and querer are used in the negative form, they have yet another meaning, namely, no pude means “I failed (to),” and no quise means “I refused (to).” Compare the examples below.
Poder in the Present:
puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, pueden
Tú puedes hacer lo que quieras y yo también.
You can do anything you want and so can I.
Juntos podemos.
Together we can.
¿Pueden terminarlo para mañana?
Will you guys be able to finish it by tomorrow?
Furthermore, when poder and querer are used in the negative form, they have yet another meaning, namely, no pude means “I failed (to),” and no quise means “I refused (to).” Compare the examples below.
Poder in the Present:
puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, pueden
Tú puedes hacer lo que quieras y yo también.
You can do anything you want and so can I.
Juntos podemos.
Together we can.
¿Pueden terminarlo para mañana?
Will you guys be able to finish it by tomorrow?