20.10 poder (to be able to) |
Example |
|
The first sentence does not describe the result of
a learning process.
The second sentence describes exactly this result of
a learning process.
Example |
|
can can be translated
with poder but
only in the meaning of being
able (or not being able to) without a learning
process involved.
can is translated
with saber only
in the meaning of to know how
to including a learning process.
To keep up this difference more clearly we distinguish between poder = to be able to and saber = can (to know how to).
example |
|
Sentences like Sabemos dormir
or Sé ver
are pure nonsense. Nobody would say I
know how to see because
it's not a question of learning to see. Of course we
could start - once again - a philosophical discussion
about the sentence "No sabe ver". This sentence
means that due to non-existing education the person
doesn't know to see (to appreciate) the beauty of art
or live or a landscape. He would have to read Marcel
Proust to learn how to see. However back to Spanish
grammar.
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