Last Updated：2025/11/19

Dictionary quizzes to help you remember vocabulary

simple past tense of can / Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact). / Used to politely ask for permission to do something. / Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.

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could

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Source Word

could

IPA(Pronunciation)

/kʊd/

Verb

form-of participle past

simple past tense of can / Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact). / Used to politely ask for permission to do something. / Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.

Japanese Meaning

can の過去形として、過去に「～することができた」という意味を表します。 / 仮定法過去として、事実とは異なる仮定や願望を表し、「～だったら」という意味を持つ場合があります。 / 丁寧な依頼として用いられ、「～していただけますか」という意味で使われます。 / 丁寧な依頼形として、他者に何かをしてもらう際の表現に用いられます。

What is this buttons?

She could finish the report before dinner because she started early.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

彼女は早く取りかかったので、夕食前にレポートを終えることができた。

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Sense（1）

simple past tense of can

Before I was blind, I could see very well.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

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Sense（2）

Used as a past subjunctive (contrary to fact).

I think he could do it if he really wanted to.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

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Sense（3）

Used to politely ask for permission to do something.

Could I borrow your coat?

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Sense（4）

Used to politely ask for someone else to do something.

Could you proofread this email?

Google Translation / DeepL Translation

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Sense（5）

Used to show the possibility that something might happen.

Even without hovering drones, a lurking assassin, a thumping score and a denouement, the real-life story of Edward Snowden, a rogue spy on the run, could be straight out of the cinema. But, as with Hollywood, the subplots and exotic locations may distract from the real message: America’s discomfort and its foes’ glee.

Google Translation / DeepL Translation