Potrafi

Potrafi is the third-person singular present tense form of the Polish verb potrafić, meaning “to be able to” or “to know how to.” In usage, it functions as a semi-modal verb and is followed by an infinitive to express capability or skill.

The construction potrafi + infinitive is employed to describe what someone can do, often as a result of practice or learned ability. Examples include: potrafi mówić po angielsku (he can speak English), potrafi naprawić komputer (he can repair a computer). The negative form is nie potrafi (he cannot/does not know how to).

Potrafić is commonly contrasted with umieć, another Polish verb of ability. While both express capability, potrafić emphasizes a practical ability that may require effort or conditions, whereas umieć often conveys a more general or established skill or know-how. In many contexts the two verbs are interchangeable, but nuances can guide choice depending on whether the emphasis is on potential action (potrafi) or learned proficiency (umie).

Morphologically, the common present forms are potrafię, potrafisz, potrafi, potrafimy, potraficie, potrafią, with past tense forms such as potrafił/potrafiła meaning “was able to.” Potrafi appears across varied registers, from everyday speech to descriptive prose, to convey capability in concrete actions.