could
gb/kˈʊd/ us/kˈʊd/
A2
English
~ 100
tud, -hat/-het, lehet, -hatna/-hetne
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] could [verb]
When I was younger, I could run five miles without stopping.
Fiatalabb koromban öt mérföldet tudtam futni megállás nélkül.
We could see the mountains from our hotel room.
A hotelszobánkból látni lehetett a hegyeket.
It could rain later, so bring an umbrella.
She could speak three languages fluently.
This plan could work if everyone helps.
Learner examples
I could swim when I was six.
Hatéves koromban már tudtam úszni.
We could play outside after lunch.
Ebéd után kint játszhattunk.
He could read very fast.
It could snow tomorrow.
They could come to the party.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'could' for ability in the past with 'can' for present ability.
Meaning
Express past ability or possibility
Collocations
could be
|could have
|could go
|could happen
|could see
Synonyms
was able to (More formal and specific about past ability; not used for hypothetical situations)
Antonyms
could not (Indicates inability or impossibility)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that someone was able to do something before, or that something is possible.
Used to express that someone was able to do something in the past, or that something was possible.
VERB
A2
2
tud
A2
Usage pattern:
Could [someone] [verb]?
Could you pass me the salt, please?
Ide tudnád adni a sót, kérlek?
Could we meet tomorrow afternoon?
Találkozhatnánk holnap délután?
Could I borrow your book for a week?
You could try restarting your computer.
Could you tell me the time?
Learner examples
Could you help me?
Tudnál segíteni?
Could we sit here?
Leülhetnénk ide?
Could I use your phone?
You could take the bus.
Could you open the window?
Common mistake:
Learners may forget to use 'please' in polite requests with 'could'.
Meaning
Make polite request or suggestion
Collocations
could you please
|could we
|could I ask
|could you tell me
Synonyms
would you mind (Even more polite and formal)
Themes
communication
|social interaction
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to ask someone politely to do something or to give an idea.
Used to politely ask someone to do something or to suggest a possibility.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] could [verb]
The train could be late due to the weather.
A vonat az időjárás miatt késhet.
This medicine could help you feel better.
Ez a gyógyszer segíthet, hogy jobban érezd magad.
We could see some changes next year.
It could be dangerous to go alone.
The meeting could last for hours.
Learner examples
It could rain today.
Ma eshet az eső.
This could be my book.
Ez lehet az én könyvem.
He could come later.
The bus could be late.
She could get sick.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'could' with 'should' when giving advice versus expressing possibility.
Meaning
Express uncertainty about events
Collocations
could be true
|could happen soon
|could take a while
Synonyms
might ('Might' is often interchangeable but sometimes suggests slightly less likelihood)
Antonyms
will (Indicates certainty rather than possibility)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definition
Used to talk about something that might happen now or later.
Used to say that something is possible but not certain now or in the future.
VERB
B1
4
tud
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] could [verb] if [condition]
I could help you if I had more time.
Segíthetnék neked, ha több időm lenne.
We could win if we practice hard.
Nyerhetnénk, ha keményen gyakorolnánk.
She could pass the exam if she studied more.
They could travel more if they saved money.
He could fix it if he had the right tools.
Learner examples
I could buy it if I had money.
Megvehetném, ha lenne pénzem.
We could go if it is sunny.
Elmehetnénk, ha sütne a nap.
She could come if she finishes work.
He could play if he feels better.
They could eat if they are hungry.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget to include the condition when using conditional 'could'.
Meaning
Express hypothetical situations
Collocations
could win if
|could happen if
Synonyms
would be able to (More explicit about conditional ability)
Themes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say something is possible if something else happens first.
Used for situations that are possible only if certain conditions are met.
Grammar
Dictionary form
could
IPA
GB/kˈʊd/
US/kˈʊd/
Syllables & stress
could (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (could)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: could
- 3rd Person Singular: coulds
- Present Participle: coulding
- Past: coulded
- Past Participle: coulded
Word family
Forms
coulds
verb
coulding
verb
coulded
verb
Related words
can
verb A1
Negative and opposite forms
couldn't
verb A2
Expressions
as cold as ice could be
1/ˈæz kˈoʊld ˈæz ˈaɪs kˈʊd bˈi/
idiom
literary
Extremely cold like ice
Very, very cold, like ice.
Examples
- Her hands were as cold as ice could be after walking in the snow.
- The water was as cold as ice could be.
could have been
1/kˈʊd hˈæv bˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Possible but unrealized past situation
Used to say something was possible in the past but did not happen.
Examples
- I could have been a doctor if I had studied harder.
- It could have been worse after the accident.
couldn't care less
1/kˈʊdənt kˈɛɹ lˈɛs/
idiom
informal
Not care at all about something
To not care at all about something; to have no interest in it.
Examples
- I couldn't care less about what they think.
- She couldn't care less about fashion trends.
couldn't care less
2/kˈʊdənt kˈɛɹ lˈɛs/
idiom
informal
have no interest/concern at all
To not be interested in or worried about something at all.
Examples
- I couldn't care less about sports.
- She couldn't care less what they think.