could
could
past or polite form of can
Learn could with free cards in 30 seconds.
10 minutes a day can add up to 3,000 words a year. Spaced flashcards bring each word back when it is time to remember it.
could fits your vocabulary level. Check your level if you are not sure.

How many words can you learn in a year?
If you learn 8-10 new words a day and review them regularly with flashcards, you can cover about 3,000 words in a year.
ZapomniEnglish brings words back at the right time: difficult words appear more often, familiar words less often.
Not sure what pace to start with? Check your vocabulary level and we will suggest words for your level.
We count words you add to learning and review regularly. Active use grows gradually and depends on practice.
| Pace | Per day | Per year | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy | 3 words | ≈ 1,100 words | starting without pressure |
| Balanced | 5 words | ≈ 1,800 words | steady growth |
| Recommended | 8 words | ≈ 2,900 words | around 3,000 words a year |
| Fast | 10 words | ≈ 3,650 words | visible vocabulary growth |
| Intensive | 15 words | ≈ 5,500 words | strong motivation |
could with Russian translation
could usage examples
Не могли бы вы открыть окно, пожалуйста?
Could you open the window, please?
Она может закончить пораньше сегодня.
She could finish early today.
Learn by topic
could belongs to the topic "Top 300". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.
could synonyms
What's the difference between could / can / be able to / may / might / couldn't
same as the headword; past form or polite form of can
Could you help me, please?
Не могли бы вы помочь мне, пожалуйста?
I can swim.
Я умею плавать.
She was able to finish on time.
Она смогла закончить вовремя.
You may leave now.
Вы можете идти сейчас.
It might rain later.
Позже может пойти дождь.
negative form of could; inability or impossibility in the past/polite context
I couldn't open the door.
Я не смог открыть дверь.
successful ability in the past; emphasizes that the action was completed
She was able to solve the problem.
Она смогла решить проблему.
means succeeded in doing something, often with effort or difficulty
He managed to catch the train.
Он успел на поезд.
past possibility or guess; weaker and less certain than could have
She might have forgotten.
Возможно, она забыла.
past possibility or speculation; similar to might have, often slightly more formal
They may have missed the bus.
Они, возможно, пропустили автобус.
What's the difference
More related word breakdowns
Short comparisons help you choose the right word by meaning, context, and typical examples.

В чем разница в английском между carry, wear, tote и lug
Carry — нести или иметь при себе, wear — носить на теле, tote — таскать с собой, lug — тащить тяжёлое с усилием.

В чем разница в английском между whole, entire, complete и intact
Разница между whole, entire, complete и intact: целое, весь объем, завершенность и сохранность без повреждений.

В чем разница в английском между choose, pick, select и opt for
Разница между choose, pick, select и opt for: обычный выбор, разговорный выбор, выбор из списка и осознанное предпочтение.
Related words and lists for could
How to pronounce could and what this word means
could translation: мочь. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.
how to pronounce could
/kʊd/
could translation
мочь
could examples
Could you open the window, please?
could transcription
/kʊd/, /kʊd/
How this dictionary entry is reviewed
ZapomniEnglish prepares dictionary data automatically, then the editorial workflow checks high-frequency words, top lists, and pages that already receive search impressions first.
Questions about this word
could meaning: what does it mean?
past or polite form of can
could pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?
could is pronounced as /kʊd/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.
could definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?
Could you open the window, please? Translation: Не могли бы вы открыть окно, пожалуйста?
Learn could in your vocabulary
Add this word to practice, repeat it with audio, examples and your own word lists.