POUVOIR VOULOIR SAVOIR

Pouvoir and vouloir are two verbs that are very similar. It's important not to confuse them. Learn them together in order to benefit from the similarities and also in order to get the differences clear.

First, some help to distinguish the meanings.

  pouvoir 
 to be able 

Remember the p like the p in power, a word with the same origins as pouvoir. 

vouloir
to want 

Remember the v like the v in voluntary, a word with the same origins as vouloir.                                             

Here are the conjugations of the two verbs:

 

You don't need a preposition after these verbs - they are followed directly with an infinitive:

      Je veux demander un renseignement.
I want to ask for some information.

Je peux demander un renseignement.
I can ask for some information.

Elle veut aller dans le centre en bus.
She wants to go to the centre by bus.

  Elle peut aller dans le centre en bus.
She can go to the centre by bus.

2) Le verbe «savoir» - to know

Savoir is another verb which is followed directly by a second verb in the infinitive, for example in the expression: 

savoir faire
to know how to 

Here is the conjugation of savoir:

Je sais où est l'arrêt de bus.
I know where the bus stop is.
Tu sais parler français?
Do you know how to speak French?
Il sait comment aller dans le centre.
He knows how to go into the centre.
Elle ne sait pas lire.
She doesn't know how to read.
Nous savons bien faire la cuisine.
We know how to cook well. 
Vous savez où est la cathédrale?
Do you know where the cathedral is?
Ils savent parler arabe.
They know how to speak Arabic.
Est-ce qu'elles savent compter?
Do they know how to count?

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