posso

Posso is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Italian verb potere, meaning to be able to or may. It is used to express ability or permission and is typically followed by an infinitive, as in posso andare (I can go) or posso mangiare (I can eat). It also appears in questions to make requests, for example, Posso entrare? (May I come in?).

Grammar and usage details: Potere is an irregular modal verb in Italian. The present tense forms are io posso, tu puoi, lui/lei può, noi possiamo, voi potete, loro possono. In use, posso governs both ability (posso farlo) and permission (posso uscire?). In negative constructions, non posso means I cannot. For polite requests, speakers may prefer forms like Potrei (could I) or use more formal contexts with other phrasing.

Etymology and related forms: Potere derives from the Latin verb posse, meaning to be able. This lineage links Italian potere to other Romance languages with similar roots, such as Portuguese poder, where posso is also the first-person present form.

Cross-linguistic notes: The word posao in Italian shares the same semantic field as its counterparts in other Romance languages, all centered on ability or permission. While the spelling and exact conjugation differ, the core meaning remains comparable across languages, aiding learners who study multiple Romance tongues.

See also: Italian grammar; modal verbs; verb connotation of permission vs. ability; politeness strategies in requesting information.