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Lesson 13 of 238

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Free Spanish CourseLesson 13 of 238

Can I in Spanish

Justin wants the patio table, and he wants a plug for his phone. Michael is the one who can say yes or no.

You'll ask if you can do something, ask if you can use something, and hear yes, go ahead, or no, sorry.

You'll need that in cafés, shops, and a neighbor's doorway. One socket at Café Laurel is dead.

By the end of this lesson

Ask permission to do something or use something, and understand yes or no.

  • ¿Puedo ___?Can I ___?
  • ¿Está bien si ___?Is it okay if I ___?
  • ¿Puedo usar ___?Can I use ___?
  • Sí, puedesYes, you can
  • Claro, adelanteSure, go ahead
  • No, lo sientoNo, sorry

Scene — the patio and the plug

It's late morning at Café Laurel. An empty table sits on the patio, and a plug is on the wall by the door.

Justin has his phone in his hand. Michael is wiping the counter, close enough to ask.

Justin looks at an empty patio table and a dead wall socket.

Learn — asking permission

Six lines for asking and for the answer. Three are questions, and three are replies.

Tap ▶ and say each one out loud.

  1. ¿Puedo ___?: Justin asks if he can sit outside.

    ¿Puedo ___?

    Can I ___?

    When to use it: Ask this before you do something that needs a yes.

    Put the action in the blank, like sentarme afuera.

  2. ¿Está bien si ___?: Justin asks if this particular chair is okay.

    ¿Está bien si ___?

    Is it okay if I ___?

    When to use it: Ask this when you want a softer is it okay.

    Si here means if. Learn the whole question as one piece.

    Say it: es-TAH byen see

  3. ¿Puedo usar ___?: Justin asks to use the wall plug.

    ¿Puedo usar ___?

    Can I use ___?

    When to use it: Ask this before you use something that isn't yours.

    Usar means to use. The blank is the thing.

    Say it: oo-SAR

  4. Sí, puedes: Michael says yes, you can.

    Sí, puedes

    Yes, you can

    When to use it: Say this to give someone a clear yes.

    Sí has an accent because it means yes.

    Say it: see PWEH-dehs

  5. Claro, adelante: Michael waves Justin out onto the patio.

    Claro, adelante

    Sure, go ahead

    When to use it: Say this to wave someone on.

    Say it: ah-deh-LAHN-teh

  6. No, lo siento: the socket is dead, and Michael is sorry.

    No, lo siento

    No, sorry

    When to use it: Say this for a polite no.

    Lo siento is sorry. The no is the answer.

Story — one yes and one no

Watch which ask gets a yes, and which plug gets a no. The highlighted words are the new lines.

Tap Play the scene to hear it, and turn on Show English if you get stuck.

  1. Justin looks at the empty patio table.
  2. Justin¿Está bien?Is that okay?
  3. MichaelClaro.Sure.
  4. Justin¿Puedo sentarme afuera?Can I sit outside?
  5. MichaelClaro, adelante.Sure, go ahead.
  6. Justin¿Puedo usar el enchufe?Can I use the plug?
  7. The socket by the door is dead. Justin points at a different one.
  8. MichaelNo, lo siento. No te preocupes.No, sorry. Don't worry.
  9. Justin¿Está bien si quiero este?Is it okay if I want this one?
  10. MichaelSí, puedes.Yes, you can.

Practice — may I

Eleven exercises. You'll listen, match, and pick the line that fits the moment.

If you miss, try again or skip. The reason shows after the right answer.

0 of 11 done

  1. What did you hear?

  2. Match the pairs

    Spanish

    ¿Puedo usar ___?Drop the English here
    ¿Está bien si ___?Drop the English here
    Sí, puedesDrop the English here
    Claro, adelanteDrop the English here
    No, lo sientoDrop the English here

    English

    Drag an English line onto its Spanish, or tap one and then the other.

  3. What does it mean?

    Sí, puedes

  4. What do you say?

    You want to sit at the patio table. Ask if you can.

  5. Fill the gap

    No, sorry

    No, lo ____

  6. What do you say?

    You want to use the plug. Ask about using it.

  7. What do you say?

    The socket is dead. Michael has to refuse.

  8. Which one doesn’t belong?

  9. What do you say?

    You point at the patio table and check if that spot is okay, with the short question.

  10. What do you say?

    Michael agrees with the one-word yes from before. He does not say go ahead.

  11. True or false?

    Claro, adelante means no, sorry.

Say it — ask Michael

You are Justin. You want the patio, then the plug. Michael answers.

Tap the microphone to say your line. Tap ▶ to hear it first. Your recording stays on your device.

  1. Justin (you)Ask if you can sit outside.

    ¿Puedo ___?

    Can I ___?

0 of 3 said

Recap — what you can say now

SpanishEnglish
¿Puedo ___?Can I ___?
¿Está bien si ___?Is it okay if I ___?
¿Puedo usar ___?Can I use ___?
Sí, puedesYes, you can
Claro, adelanteSure, go ahead
No, lo sientoNo, sorry
Next: lesson 14Is that allowed

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Can I, can I use, and is it okay if come up every time you need a yes.

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