Thread: easy question

when should I use "ты можешь" instead of мужно for asking a
question/ also what about возможно and нельзя

невозможно изменять прошлое!

ты можешь - you can do something (you are able to do something) OR you may do something
ты можешь открыть дверь = you can open the door OR you may open the door

нельзя = may not
не можешь = cannot / may not
это воможно = it's possible


- Как ты думаешь, [c]могу ли я поднять этот камень?
- Думаю, что [не] [c]можешь.

- Как ты думаешь, смог бы кто-нибудь поднять этот камень?
- Думаю, что это возможно.

- Могу ли я взять эту книгу?
- Ты не можешь взять эту книгу*. OR Тебе не разрешено брать эту книгу. OR Эту книгу тебе брать нельзя.

* You should be careful with this phrase. It's meaning could depend on pronunciation.

I think ты можешь is like - you can physically do it. E.g.
Ты можешь плавать - You can swim (you know how to)
Можно плавать - You can swim (e.g. It is allowed)

In other words можно means it is allowed not only for you, but for everybody, it is general situation.
The phrase with можно is more frequent in Russian when somebody is asking for something
Можно я пойду погуляю? (May I go for a walk?)
Можно я покурю? (May I have a smoke?)
Можно войти? (May I come in?)
Ну что, можно уже сдавать сочинение? (May I/we/all give you (a teacher) my/our essays?)

The opposite is нельзя.

Здесь нельзя курить. No smoking is allowed here.

Originally Posted by TATY

I think ты можешь is like - you can physically do it. E.g.
Ты можешь плавать - You can swim (you know how to)

That's not really correct because уметь means "to know how(to do smth)"

Originally Posted by Dogboy182

Originally Posted by TATY

I think ты можешь is like - you can physically do it. E.g.
Ты можешь плавать - You can swim (you know how to)

That's not really correct because уметь means "to know how(to do smth)"

Oh yeh, its like in Spanish

Let's say that, basically:

Можно would be used on a sign: You can do this...

Можeшь is a form of мочь and is used as something you can do...I can buy it....I am able to sleep.

Actualy, Spanish:

saber = уметь, знать
conocer = zнать

можешь/можете means You, the person I'm speaking to.
можно means yuh, anybody.

Здесь можно курить. Yuh kin smoke here. Anybody can smoke here.

Здесь нельзя курить. NO SMОKING!

But, you, as visiting dignitary from Русь, that sign does nоt apply to you. Ignore it. Здесь вы можете курить.

Originally Posted by BSoBW

Let's say that, basically:

Можно would be used on a sign: You can do this...

Можeшь is a form of мочь and is used as something you can do...I can buy it....I am able to sleep.

Actualy, Spanish:

saber = уметь, знать
conocer = zнать

Spanish:

saber = to know how to do something.
Poder = to physically be able to do something
Conocer = to know someone / something, be familiar with.

E.g. S

yes there are mistakes, but your spanish is very good, the translations are great! spanish is close to russian in how they use infinitive verbs and many other simalairites. like taking off the "tu".

(tu) hablas espanol?
(ты) говоришь по-русский,

the "ты" is not used sometimes in spokern russian. it is the same in spanish, but in spanish it is usally always not used.

Originally Posted by tim

yes there are mistakes, but your spanish is very good, the translations are great! spanish is close to russian in how they use infinitive verbs and many other simalairites. like taking off the "tu".

(tu) hablas espanol?
(ты) говоришь по-русский,

the "ты" is not used sometimes in spokern russian. it is the same in spanish, but in spanish it is usally always not used.

Can you correct my corrections.

Two years ago I was really good at Spanish. Then when I finsihed it at school I didn't keep it up at all, and I have forgotten loads. I'm sure I could easily pick it up again though.