Poder vs. Conseguir: Ask ‘Can You?’ in Brazilian Portuguese — Practice

Use poder for permission or general possibility

Poder commonly means ‘can’ or ‘may.’ It can ask permission, offer a possibility, or make a polite request: posso entrar? (may I come in?), você pode me ajudar? (can you help me?). The context shows whether the speaker is asking about permission, availability, or ability.

Poder is irregular in the present: posso, pode, podemos, podem. Follow it with an infinitive: pode esperar, posso ligar, podemos conversar.

Use conseguir for managing or succeeding at an action

Conseguir often emphasizes being able to manage an action or succeed at it. It is useful when there is a practical obstacle: não consigo ouvir com esse barulho (I can’t hear over this noise), conseguiu terminar o relatório? (did you manage to finish the report?). It is followed by an infinitive.

The verbs overlap in some sentences. Você pode vir? can ask whether someone is available or able to come; você consegue vir? can emphasize whether it is manageable. Choose based on what you want to know, then add a reason if the distinction matters.

Remember: Use poder for permission, possibility, or a general request. Use conseguir when you want to emphasize managing an action or overcoming a practical obstacle.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. May I use this chair?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Posso usar esta cadeira?

2. Could you open the window?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você pode abrir a janela?

3. We can talk after lunch.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente pode conversar depois do almoço.

4. I can’t manage to open this file on my phone.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não consigo abrir este arquivo no celular.

5. Can you make it before six?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você consegue chegar antes das seis?

6. I can pick you up at the station.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Posso buscar você na estação.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use poder for permission, possibility, or a general request. Use conseguir when you want to emphasize managing an action or overcoming a practical obstacle.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Poder vs. Conseguir: Ask ‘Can You?’ in Brazilian Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.