potere

Italian

Etymology

From Vulgar Latin *potēre, from Latin possum, posse. The Latin infinitive potēre was formed analogically in post-classical Latin from the basis of potens, potentis, the present participle of possum (4th century, found in the Vetus Latina).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /poˈte.re/, [poˈt̪eːr̺e]

• Audio:

  (file)

• Hyphenation: po‧té‧re

Verb

potere

1. (transitive, intransitive) can, could; be able to
2. (transitive, intransitive) may, might; be possible to

Usage notes

This verb is omitted when translating verbs relating to the senses:

Lei lo può fare. (uses potere) ― She is able to do it.

Sa nuotare. (uses sapere) ― She is able to swim.

Lo vedo. (omitted) ― I can see it.

See also

• sapere
• riuscire (a)

Noun

potere m (plural poteri)

1. power

Derived terms

• podere
• potersi

Related terms

• potentato
• potente
• potenza
• potestà

Anagrams

• pereto, tepore

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Latin

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /poːˈteː.re/, [poːˈt̪eːrɛ]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /poˈte.re/, [poˈt̪ɛːre]

Verb

(deprecated template usage) pōtēre

1. second-person singular present passive subjunctive of pōtō