può

Può is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Italian verb potere, meaning "to be able to" or "can." It derives from the Latin posse and is used with lui, lei, or the formal Lei in present-tense statements or questions. The accent on the o (può) distinguishes it from other forms such as puo (incorrect) and helps indicate pronunciation. Other present-tense forms of potere are posso, puoi, possiamo, potete, possono.

In usage, può expresses ability, permission, or possibility in the present. It is commonly followed by an infinitive, as in può venire (he/she/you formal can come) or non può venire (cannot come). It can also introduce polite requests or inquiries when addressing someone formally: Può darmi un bicchiere d’acqua? (Could you give me a glass of water?), with Lei understood.

Può is often used in expressions of probability or possibility, such as Può darsi che piova domani (Perhaps it will rain tomorrow) or Può essere che sia già tardo (It may be late). The verb potere is irregular in some tenses, but può remains a standard present-tense form and is complemented by other forms in the full conjugation: posso, puoi, può, possiamo, potete, possono.

The form’s usage patterns are central to polite formality in Italian. In informal conversation, the same idea is conveyed with puoi or posso, depending on the subject. Può thus functions as a versatile auxiliary for expressing capability, general possibility, and courteous requests within everyday Italian.