Spanish · A1 · Family moment
Sports Club Fun in Spanish
Learn how to express physical abilities and sports activities using the verb 'poder' (to be able to/can). This guide helps you encourage your child's new skills at the sports club.
What you'll learn
- Express physical abilities using the verb 'poder'.
- Ask others what they are able to do.
- Identify basic sports-related actions and equipment.
Spanish phrases for sports club fun
Tú puedes correr rápido.
You can run fast.
'Rápido' describes how someone runs.
Yo puedo atrapar la pelota.
I can catch the ball.
'Atrapar' means 'to catch'.
¿Puedes saltar?
Can you jump?
The word order stays the same as a statement, just add question marks.
Podemos jugar juntos.
We can play together.
'Juntos' is for a group; use 'juntas' if everyone is female.
No puedes alcanzar la red todavía.
You cannot reach the net yet.
'Todavía' means 'yet' or 'still'.
No puedo dar una voltereta.
I cannot do a cartwheel.
'Dar una voltereta' literally means 'to give a tumble'.
¿Puedes patear la pelota?
Can you kick the ball?
'Patear' comes from 'pata' (foot/leg of an animal/furniture).
No podemos nadar aquí.
We cannot swim here.
'Aquí' indicates the location 'here'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Pelota
Ball
Usually refers to smaller balls; 'balón' is used for larger ones like soccer balls.
Red
Net
Used in tennis, volleyball, or soccer goals.
Voltereta
Cartwheel / Somersault
Commonly used for various tumbling moves in gymnastics.
Todavía
Yet / Still
Used to show a skill is in progress.
The Verb 'Poder' (Can)
To say someone 'can' do something, use a form of 'poder' followed immediately by the second verb in its original (infinitive) form ending in -ar, -er, or -ir.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I can | Yo puedo | Yo puedo saltar. |
| You can (informal) | Tú puedes | Tú puedes correr. |
| We can | Nosotros podemos | Podemos jugar. |
Making it Negative
To say someone 'cannot' do something, simply place the word 'no' directly before the conjugated form of 'poder'.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I cannot | No puedo | No puedo nadar. |
| We cannot | No podemos | No podemos ir. |
More examples
¡Mira! Puedo saltar muy alto.
Look! I can jump very high.
¿Puedes ver la pelota?
Can you see the ball?
Hoy no podemos jugar al fútbol.
Today we cannot play soccer.