could
gb/kˈʊd/ us/kˈʊd/
A2
Inglés
~ 100
tud, -hat/-het, lehet, -hatna/-hetne
VERBO
A2
1
Patrón de uso:
[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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
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.
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'could' for ability in the past with 'can' for present ability.
Significado
Express past ability or possibility
Colocaciones
could be
|could have
|could go
|could happen
|could see
Sinónimos
was able to (More formal and specific about past ability; not used for hypothetical situations)
Antónimos
could not (Indicates inability or impossibility)
Temas
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definición
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.
VERBO
A2
2
tud
A2
Patrón de uso:
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?
Ejemplos para estudiantes
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?
Error frecuente:
Learners may forget to use 'please' in polite requests with 'could'.
Significado
Make polite request or suggestion
Colocaciones
could you please
|could we
|could I ask
|could you tell me
Sinónimos
would you mind (Even more polite and formal)
Temas
communication
|social interaction
|core_vocabulary
Definición
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.
VERBO
B1
3
Patrón de uso:
[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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
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.
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'could' with 'should' when giving advice versus expressing possibility.
Significado
Express uncertainty about events
Colocaciones
could be true
|could happen soon
|could take a while
Sinónimos
might ('Might' is often interchangeable but sometimes suggests slightly less likelihood)
Antónimos
will (Indicates certainty rather than possibility)
Temas
daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Definición
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.
VERBO
B1
4
tud
B1
Patrón de uso:
[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.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
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.
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes forget to include the condition when using conditional 'could'.
Significado
Express hypothetical situations
Colocaciones
could win if
|could happen if
Sinónimos
would be able to (More explicit about conditional ability)
Temas
communication
|core_vocabulary
Definición
Used to say something is possible if something else happens first.
Used for situations that are possible only if certain conditions are met.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
could
AFI
GB/kˈʊd/
US/kˈʊd/
Sílabas y acento
could (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (could)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: could
- 3rd Person Singular: coulds
- Present Participle: coulding
- Past: coulded
- Past Participle: coulded
Familia de palabras
Forms
coulds
verb
coulding
verb
coulded
verb
Related words
can
verb A1
Negative and opposite forms
couldn't
verb A2
Expresiones
as cold as ice could be
1/ˈæz kˈoʊld ˈæz ˈaɪs kˈʊd bˈi/
idiom
literary
Extremely cold like ice
Very, very cold, like ice.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- 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.
Ejemplos
- I couldn't care less about sports.
- She couldn't care less what they think.