The Imperfect Tense of Poder is used to express ongoing or repeated ability, permission, or possibility in the past. For example, Cuando era niño, podía correr muy rápido. (When I was a child, I could run very fast.)

Poder is a regular -er verb, so its conjugations in the Imperfect Tense follow the typical pattern for this verb type.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Poder (to be able) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish):

The imperfect tense of poder is used to describe ongoing, repeated or habitual actions in the past, as well as descriptions and states of being.

Ability or Permission: For example, Cuando era niño, podía correr muy rápido. (When I was a child, I could run very fast.) This usage expresses an ability or permission in the past.

Possibility: For example, Podía llover en cualquier momento. (It could rain at any moment.) This usage expresses a possibility in the past.

Polite Request: For example, ¿Podía ayudarme con esto? (Could you help me with this?) This usage makes a polite request.

Uncertainty: For example, No podía estar seguro. (I couldn’t be sure.) This usage expresses uncertainty in the past.

Slang/Idiomatic: For example, ¡Podía comerme un toro! (I could eat a bull! – meaning very hungry.) This idiomatic usage exaggerates hunger or desire.

Rude Usage: For example, ¡Podías haberte callado! (You could have shut up!) This rude usage expresses annoyance or frustration.

Examples

Examples of Poder in the Imperfect Tense

Cuando era niño, podía correr por horas sin cansarme. (When I was a child, I could run for hours without getting tired.)

En esa época, podíamos salir a jugar sin preocupaciones. (Back then, we could go out and play without any worries.)

Antes de tener hijos, podían viajar más seguido. (Before having kids, they could travel more often.)

Aunque podía hablar inglés, no entendía todas las bromas. (Even though I could speak English, I didn’t understand all the jokes.)

En su juventud, podía quedarse despierta hasta tarde sin problemas. (In her youth, she could stay up late without any issues.)

Mis abuelos podían caminar kilómetros sin cansarse. (My grandparents could walk for miles without getting tired.)

Antes de la pandemia, uno podía ir al cine sin tantas restricciones. (Before the pandemic, one could go to the movies without so many restrictions.)

En ese entonces, podíamos reunirnos sin miedo al contagio. (Back then, we could gather without fear of contagion.)

Cuando era estudiante, podía quedarme despierta toda la noche estudiando. (When I was a student, I could stay up all night studying.)

Antes de tener tantas responsabilidades, podías relajarte más seguido. (Before having so many responsibilities, you could relax more often.)

En esos días, uno podía disfrutar de la vida sin tantas preocupaciones. (In those days, one could enjoy life without so many worries.)

Cuando era joven, podía comer lo que quisiera sin engordar. (When I was young, I could eat whatever I wanted without gaining weight.)

Antes de tener tantas deudas, podíamos ahorrar más dinero. (Before having so many debts, we could save more money.)

En su época de soltero, podía salir con amigos sin pedir permiso. (During his single days, he could go out with friends without asking for permission.)

Cuando era más joven, podía quedarme despierta hasta tarde sin sentirme cansada. (When I was younger, I could stay up late without feeling tired.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Poder (to be able) in the Imperfect Tense tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperfect tense is also known as the Past Imperfect, Descriptive Past, Past Progressive, or Imperfect Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Imperfecto, Copretérito, Imperfecto de Indicativo, or Pasado Descriptivo in Spanish.