What does pouvoir in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word pouvoir in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use pouvoir in French.

The word pouvoir in French means power, ability, power, ability, capacity, power, power, power, can, can, can, may, could, could, might, could, be possible, proxy, on a quest for power, abuse of power, secrets of power, have power over, balance of power, counter power, opposing power, power struggle, race for power, race to power, decentralization of power, delegation of power, doubt, in your power, can't stand, be in power, exercise of power, do everything in your power, authorized signatory, accounts assistant, man of power, can't do anything about it, be unable to string two words together, can't stand , can't bear, not be able to take your eyes off, not say the same thing for…, be unable to get a word in edgeways, can't stand , can't bear, can't stand , can't bear, can't help doing , be unable to help doing, be unable to stand , be unable to bear , can't stand , can't bear, can't stand , can't bear, be unable to stand the sight of , cannot stand the sight of, be unable to stand the sight of , cannot stand the sight of, can't take any more, can't handle it anymore, handover of power, absolute power, heat of combustion, forget about it, can forget about it, purchasing power, decision-making power, power of money, market power, police power, resolving power, powers of seduction, power over life and death, government in power, executive power, judiciary, legislative power, public authority, the answer is no, go whistle, go whistle for it, can dream on, eat your heart out, can eat your heart out, sweetening power, supernatural power, be only just able to do, take power, assumption of power, taking up of power, fourth estate, seize power, can't stand , be unable to stand , not be able to stand, superpower, where there's a will, there's a way. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word pouvoir

power, ability

nom masculin (puissance particulière)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Ce médicament a le pouvoir de vous guérir.

This medicine has the ability to cure you.

power, ability, capacity

nom masculin (faculté)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Ces enfants ont un grand pouvoir d'adaptation.

Children have a great capacity to adapt.

power

nom masculin (puissance de droit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

L'exercice du pouvoir est une drogue.

The exercise of power is a drug.

power

nom masculin (droit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le gendarme a le pouvoir de vous arrêter.

A police officer has the power to arrest you.

power

nom masculin (le gouvernement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Après les élections, le pouvoir changera.

After the elections, power will change hands.

can

verbe transitif (avoir la capacité de)

(auxiliary verb: Helping verb--for example, "She is running." "It has been lost.")

Mon mari peut déplacer le frigo tout seul, mais pas moi.

My husband can move the fridge all on his own, but I can't.

can

verbe transitif (avoir le droit de)

(auxiliary verb: Helping verb--for example, "She is running." "It has been lost.")

Le directeur peut renvoyer ses employés s'il le souhaite. Ma fille peut sortir jusqu'à 23 h le samedi soir.

My daughter is allowed to go out until 11 pm on Saturday nights.

can

verbe transitif (avoir une caractéristique)

(auxiliary verb: Helping verb--for example, "She is running." "It has been lost.")

Cette salle peut contenir deux cent personnes.

This room can hold two hundred people.

may, could

verbe transitif (avoir la permission)

(auxiliary verb: Helping verb--for example, "She is running." "It has been lost.")

Pouvons-nous sortir ce soir ?

May we go out tonight?

could

verbe transitif (formule de politesse)

(auxiliary verb: Helping verb--for example, "She is running." "It has been lost.")

Pouvez-vous me dire l'heure ?

Could you tell me the time?

might, could

verbe transitif (indique une éventualité)

(auxiliary verb: Helping verb--for example, "She is running." "It has been lost.")

Avec son caractère, tout peut arriver.

With his personality, anything might happen.

be possible

(Il est possible)

Il se peut que j'arrive en retard.

I may arrive late.

proxy

nom masculin (procuration)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Il m'a donné pouvoir pour agir en son absence.

He gave me his proxy to act in his absence.

on a quest for power

locution adverbiale (à la poursuite du pouvoir)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Les hommes politiques sont très souvent à la conquête du pouvoir.

abuse of power

nom masculin (utilisation inappropriée du pouvoir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

secrets of power

nom masculin pluriel (figuré (mécanismes politico-administratifs)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

have power over

(pouvoir contraindre [qqn] à faire [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

balance of power

nom féminin (parti qui fait pencher les résultats)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

counter power, opposing power

nom masculin (pouvoir d'opposition)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Une presse libre est garante d'un contre-pouvoir.

power struggle, race for power, race to power

nom féminin (lutte pour le pouvoir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le chef ayant démissionné, c'est la course au pouvoir pour les prétendants.

decentralization of power

nom féminin (répartition du pouvoir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

La décentralisation du pouvoir transférerait celui-ci aux autorités régionales.

delegation of power

nom féminin (transfert d'autorité)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le directeur signe des délégations de pouvoir pour ses adjoints.

doubt

verbe transitif indirect (penser ne pas pouvoir)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")

Je doute de pouvoir le faire.

I doubt I will be able to do it.

in your power

locution adjectivale (soumis à votre bon vouloir)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

can't stand

locution verbale (familier (ne pas supporter [qqn/qch]) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ce sale type, je ne peux pas l'encaisser !

I can't stand that creep!

be in power

locution verbale (être en fonction)

(intransitive verb: Verb not taking a direct object--for example, "She jokes." "He has arrived.")

exercise of power

nom masculin (fait de gérer, de diriger) (specific action)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

do everything in your power

locution verbale (faire le maximum)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

authorized signatory

(mandataire de société financière)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

accounts assistant

(adjoint d'agent comptable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

man of power

nom masculin ([qqn] aimant le pouvoir)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

can't do anything about it

locution verbale (ne pas pouvoir changer les choses)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be unable to string two words together

locution verbale (être confus)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

can't stand , can't bear

locution verbale (familier (ne pas supporter [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet hypocrite arriviste, je ne peux pas le blairer !

not be able to take your eyes off

(être captivé par la vue de [qch/qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

not say the same thing for…

locution verbale (avoir eu un traitement différent)

Unfortunately, I cannot say the same (thing) for him.

be unable to get a word in edgeways

locution verbale (ne pas avoir la possibilité de parler)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

When the ladies are talking, I can't get a word in edgeways.

can't stand , can't bear

verbe transitif (familier (ne pas supporter [qqn]) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet hypocrite arriviste, je ne peux pas l'encadrer !

can't stand , can't bear

verbe transitif (familier (ne pas supporter [qqn]) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet hypocrite arriviste, je ne peux pas le piffer !

can't help doing , be unable to help doing

locution verbale (faire contre sa volonté)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Quand j'ai vu sa mine déconfite, je n'ai pas pu m'empêcher de rire. Ma mère ne peut pas s'empêcher de critiquer tout le monde.

My mother can't stop criticising everyone.

be unable to stand , be unable to bear , can't stand , can't bear

locution verbale (familier (ne pas supporter [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

can't stand , can't bear

locution verbale (familier (ne pas supporter [qqn]) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Cet hypocrite arriviste, je ne peux pas le sentir !

be unable to stand the sight of , cannot stand the sight of

locution verbale (figuré, familier (ne pas supporter [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be unable to stand the sight of , cannot stand the sight of

locution verbale (figuré, familier (ne pas supporter)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Depuis que Pierre a injustement dénoncé Paul, Marie ne peut plus le voir en photo.

can't take any more, can't handle it anymore

locution verbale (en avoir ras le bol)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

handover of power

nom féminin (transmission de pouvoir à [qqn])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

absolute power

nom masculin (pouvoir totalitaire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

heat of combustion

nom masculin (chaleur produite pendant la combustion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le pouvoir calorifique du frêne est plus élevé que celui du bouleau.

forget about it, can forget about it

locution verbale (familier (pouvoir oublier, tirer un trait sur) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Si tu penses que ton frère va s'excuser, tu peux toujours courir !

purchasing power

nom masculin (capacité pécuniaire à acheter)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le pouvoir d'achat est grevé par les loyers.

decision-making power

nom masculin (capacité à décider)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

power of money

nom masculin (tout s'achète, tout se vend)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

market power

nom masculin (abus d'un monopole)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le pouvoir de marché conduit les entreprises en situation de monopole à imposer des prix surélevés.

police power

nom masculin (compétence de la police)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

resolving power

nom masculin (optique (capacité à distinguer des détails) (optics)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

powers of seduction

nom masculin (faculté de plaire)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

Cette actrice a un grand pouvoir de séduction.

power over life and death

nom masculin (capacité à décider de la mort de [qqn])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

government in power

nom masculin (gouvernement du moment)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

executive power

nom masculin (pouvoir d'application des lois)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

C'est le gouvernement qui détient le pouvoir exécutif.

judiciary

nom masculin (institution appliquant les lois)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le pouvoir judiciaire est le pouvoir qui a la capacité de rendre la justice.

legislative power

nom masculin (organe créant les lois)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

C'est le parlement qui détient le pouvoir législatif.

public authority

nom masculin (autorité administrative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Des infrastructures comme la téléphonie mobile, la télévision numérique terrestre ou encore la vaccination sont sous le contrôle des pouvoirs publics.

the answer is no

locution verbale (La réponse est négative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Si c'est pour une demande d'augmentation, tu peux repasser.

go whistle, go whistle for it

(familier (pouvoir oublier, tirer un trait sur [qch]) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Nous attendions une prime mais vu la situation, on peut se brosser !

can dream on

locution verbale (familier (attendre vainement) (informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Si tu attends que je le fasse à ta place, tu peux te gratter !

If you think I'm going to do it for you, you've got another think coming!

eat your heart out, can eat your heart out

locution verbale (être moins bon que [qqn/qch] d'autre) (figurative, informal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Face au champion russe qui a pulvérisé pas moins de 5 records mondiaux en une semaine, ses adversaires peuvent aller se rhabiller.

sweetening power

nom masculin (capacité à imiter le sucre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

supernatural power

nom masculin (capacité surhumaine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

be only just able to do

locution verbale (avoir du mal à arriver à faire)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Il peut tout juste écrire son prénom.

take power

locution verbale (renverser le gouvernement au pouvoir)

assumption of power, taking up of power

nom féminin (coup d'état)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

fourth estate

nom masculin (médias, presse)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Le quatrième pouvoir fait référence à la presse et aux médias.

seize power

(prendre le pouvoir par la force)

can't stand , be unable to stand , not be able to stand

verbe transitif (familier (ne pas supporter [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Ce professeur n'a jamais pu me saquer !

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. Mind you, I could never stomach his lessons either!

superpower

nom masculin (néologisme (pouvoir surhumain de super-héros) (often plural)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

where there's a will, there's a way

(tout est possible avec la volonté) (proverb)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

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