Answers
Dec 02, 2020 - 03:20 PM
Hi there :-)
Yes, you're right. The Italian verb Potere means both Can and May. However it translates better with the English Verb May more so than Can. For example you would use Potere to say what you may/ might do in the future or what you are permitted or allowed to do.
For example a teenager who wants to play guitar late at night might say to his parents "I can play the guitar now" or "Can I play the guitar now?"
In Italian you would use the verb Potere to express this: "Posso suonare la chitarra adesso?" The teenager is using Potere to mean can he play the guitar now or is he permitted to play it. But if the teenager wanted to say I can play the guitar, meaning he has the ability to play the guitar he would use the verb Sapere- To know.
So to say I am able to/ I can play the guitar it would be: "So suonare la chitarra" Hope this makes sense
Yes, you're right. The Italian verb Potere means both Can and May. However it translates better with the English Verb May more so than Can. For example you would use Potere to say what you may/ might do in the future or what you are permitted or allowed to do.
For example a teenager who wants to play guitar late at night might say to his parents "I can play the guitar now" or "Can I play the guitar now?"
In Italian you would use the verb Potere to express this: "Posso suonare la chitarra adesso?" The teenager is using Potere to mean can he play the guitar now or is he permitted to play it. But if the teenager wanted to say I can play the guitar, meaning he has the ability to play the guitar he would use the verb Sapere- To know.
So to say I am able to/ I can play the guitar it would be: "So suonare la chitarra" Hope this makes sense
Jan 16, 2021 - 08:37 AM
Italian waiters will usually ask "Posso?" before taking plates away from the table.
