Meanings (ES + gloss)
poder
To have permission to, be allowed. Used in granting permission and in questions to make polite requests.
may I sit there?
you may smoke outside
poder ser • tal vez
Granting the admissibility of a supposition, in a way that can be semantically either subjunctive or indicative.
Schrödinger's cat may or may not be in the box.
he may be lying
ojalá que • que
Expressing a wish (with present subjunctive effect).
Let us pray that peace may soon return to our war-torn homeland.
may you win; may the weather be sunny; long may your reign last
Phrases
I hope I may be shotI may not butI wish I may be shota cat may look at a kingas luck may have itas the case may bebe it as it maybe that as it maybe this as it maycome what maydevil-may-careformaygods may do what cattle may nothold come what mayif I mayif I may be so boldif I may make so boldif I may say soit may well withlang may yer lum reeklet the chips fall where they maylet the dice fall where they maymappenmay God be my witnessmay God have mercy on your soulmay I help youmay I pass throughmay I?may as wellmay chancemay the 4th be with youmay the Force be with youmay the Force be without youmay the Force not be with youmay the Fourth be with youmay the force be with youmay the fourth be with youmay the odds be ever in your favormay wellmay well with