Foreign Languages
Ability expressions.
Definition
Ability expressions are verb structures used in foreign languages to say what someone can, is able to, or knows how to do. Different languages use different verbs or constructions, such as 'poder' and 'saber' in Spanish, 'pouvoir' and 'savoir' in French, or 'können' in German.
Examples
Real-world.
- 1 Spanish: 'Puedo nadar' (I can swim) vs. 'Sé nadar' (I know how to swim).
- 2 French: 'Je peux parler français' (I can speak French).
- 3 German: 'Ich kann Klavier spielen' (I can play piano).