What does "no poder" mean?

The chunk "no poder" expresses the lack of ability, permission, or possibility. Whether you're saying "I can't," "they couldn't," or "we won't be able to," the root remains the same. Mastering this chunk helps you set boundaries and describe limitations clearly in any situation.

Examples

1. Lo siento, hoy no puedo ir a la reunión.
I'm sorry, I can't go to the meeting today. (presente de indicativo)
2. De niño, no podía nadar sin supervisión.
As a child, I couldn't swim without supervision. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3. Ayer no pude abrir la caja fuerte.
Yesterday I couldn't open the safe. (pretérito)
4. No podrán terminar el proyecto para el lunes.
They won't be able to finish the project by Monday. (futuro)
5. Sin las llaves, no podríamos entrar a la casa.
Without the keys, we wouldn't be able to enter the house. (potencial simple)
6. Es una pena que ella no pueda venir con nosotros.
It's a shame that she can't come with us. (presente de subjuntivo)
7. Si no pudiéramos viajar, estaríamos muy tristes.
If we couldn't travel, we would be very sad. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8. Todavía no he podido encontrar mis gafas.
I haven't been able to find my glasses yet. (perfecto de indicativo)
9. Antes de la mudanza, no habíamos podido descansar.
Before the move, we hadn't been able to rest. (pluscuamperfecto)
10. Apenas no hubo podido ganar, se retiró del torneo.
As soon as he hadn't been able to win, he withdrew from the tournament. (pretérito anterior)
11. Para mañana, no habremos podido resolver todas las dudas.
By tomorrow, we won't have been able to resolve all the doubts. (futuro perfecto)
12. Ella no habría podido lograrlo sola.
She wouldn't have been able to achieve it alone. (potencial compuesto)
13. No creo que ellos no hayan podido ver el mensaje.
I don't think they haven't been able to see the message. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14. Si no hubieras podido venir, habríamos cancelado la cena.
If you hadn't been able to come, we would have cancelled the dinner. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15. ¡No pienses que no puedes hacerlo!
Don't think that you can't do it! (imperativo context)