Can / Ability (Modal Verb)

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SpaansEl Verbo Poder
A1Modal verb 'poder' (puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, podéis, pueden) with stem change o→ue. Expresses ability, permission, or possibility + infinitive.
FransLe Verbe Pouvoir
A1Modal verb 'pouvoir' expressing ability or permission (je peux, tu peux, il/elle peut, nous pouvons, vous pouvez, ils/elles peuvent). Used with infinitive.
DuitsModalverben: können, müssen
A1Modal verbs können (can) and müssen (must) with infinitive at clause end.
ItaliaansIl Verbo Potere
A1Modal verb 'potere' expressing ability or permission (posso, puoi, può, possiamo, potete, possono). Used with infinitive verbs.
PortugeesO Verbo Poder
A1Irregular verb 'poder' (posso, podes, pode, podemos, podeis, podem). Expresses ability, permission, or possibility + infinitive.
Japans可能形
B1Expressing ability: godan changes -u to -e + る (書く→書ける), ichidan replaces -ru with -られる (食べられる). Object can take が or を. Conjugates as ichidan.
Koreaans가능 표현
A1Expressing ability: stem + ㄹ/을 수 있다 (can do). Negative: 수 없다 (cannot). Also used for possibility. Very common structure.
Hindiयोग्यता (सकना)
A2Expressing ability/possibility with verb stem + सकना. सकना conjugates for tense; the main verb stays as stem.
NederlandsHet Werkwoord Kunnen
A1Modal verb 'kunnen' (can, to be able to): ik kan, jij/u kunt/kan, hij kan, wij/jullie/zij kunnen. Infinitive goes to end of clause. Expresses ability or permission.
EngelsCan
A1Modal verb 'can' for ability and permission. Same form for all persons. Negative: can't/cannot. Question: Can you...?

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