Pu (en. Could)

/py/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

Indicates the ability or possibility of performing an action.

I was able to finish my homework on time.

J'ai pu finir mes devoirs à temps.

Used to express a success in the past.

She was able to travel during the holidays.

Elle a pu voyager pendant les vacances.

To show granted permission.

He was able to enter the meeting room.

Il a pu entrer dans la salle de réunion.

The word 'pu' comes from the Latin verb 'posse', which means 'to be able'.

to have been able to

to have had the ability or permission to do something.

avoir pu

I was not able to

to indicate the inability or impossibility of doing something.

je n'ai pas pu

you can

you have the ability or permission to do something.

tu peux

to be able

Verb meaning to have the ability or permission.

pouvoir

ability

Qualification to do something.

capacité

possibility

State of being possible or achievable.

possibilité

Having succeeded in doing something

I was able to score tickets for the concert!

J'ai pu choper des billets pour le concert !

Having had the chance to do something

Surprisingly, I was able to watch the match live.

Étonnamment, j'ai pu voir le match en direct.