Español en serio
Saber vs Poder in Spanish: Two Different Ways to Say Can
Dieser Beitrag erklärt ein wichtiges Thema der spanischen Grammatik (Text auf Englisch).
SABER vs PODER
In English, can is used to express that someone knows how to do something, as in “she can ride a bike”, but it is also used to say that someone is allowed to do something, as in “she can ride a bike in this park”. In Spanish, we use two different verbs:
🔴 She can ride a bike. Ella sabe andar en bicicleta.
Meaning: she knows how to do it.
🔴 She can ride a bike in this park. Ella puede andar en bicicleta en este parque.
Meaning: it is allowed to ride a bike in this park.
Many students confuse these two verbs. For example, they say: “puedo andar en bicicleta desde los cinco años”, when they should say: “sé andar en bicicleta desde los cinco años” (I have been able to ride a bike since I was five years old).
It is useful to think about it this way:
🔴 Sé nadar, pero no puedo nadar aquí porque es peligroso.
I know how to swim, but I cannot swim here because it’s dangerous.
🔴 Sé cocinar una paella, pero no puedo cocinarla hoy porque no tengo arroz.
I know how to cook a paella, but I cannot cook it today because I don’t have rice.
It is also very important to understand the difference between the verbs saber and conocer, pedir and preguntar. These verbs are explained in this other blog: https://spanishforlondon.com/2025/02/07/48-saber-vs-conocer-pedir-vs-preguntar/
If you are learning Spanish and find explanations like this helpful, I offer personalised online Spanish lessons for students and adults worldwide, including GCSE and A-Level preparation.
Lessons are available in English or German, and I offer a free initial consultation. You can contact me at laura@spanishforlondon.com.
Example from the episode
→ “Pocos lo saben”
To know the difference between saber and conocer, read the full episode here →
Episode 22
Book your first free demo lesson, with no obligation on your behalf, at laura.@spanishforlondon.com.
Bachelor’s degree in Literature (University of Buenos Aires). Spanish and Literature teacher. Researcher and author of Los premios Nobel de literatura. Una lectura crítica (University of Seville). More than 30 years’ experience teaching Spanish to international students.
One-to-one lessons via Zoom.
Abschluss in Literaturwissenschaft (Universität Buenos Aires). Lehrerin für Spanisch und Literatur. Forscherin und Autorin des Buches Los premios Nobel de literatura. Eine lectura crítica (Universität Sevilla). Über 30 Jahre Erfahrung im Unterricht von Spanisch als Fremdsprache.
Einzelunterricht über Zoom.
