Is "pouvoir" regular or irregular in French?

"pouvoir" is an irregular French verb. It does not follow the standard 3rd conjugation pattern and must be memorized.

How do you conjugate "pouvoir" in the present tense?

In the Présent, "pouvoir" conjugates as: peux, peux, pouvons, and more. See the full table above.

In the Passé Composé, "pouvoir" conjugates as: ai pu, as pu, avons pu, and more. See the full table above.

"pouvoir" (to be able to, can) is one of the most commonly used verbs in French.

French · Verb · #5 most common

to be able to

can

Irregular3rd ending

In the tables below, the stem is shown in black and the ending in purple.

Current actions, habits, and general truths.

Completed past actions with present relevance.

Ongoing or habitual past actions, descriptions, and background.

Future events, promises, and formal predictions.

Hypothetical outcomes, polite requests, and reported future.

Doubt, desire, necessity, and emotion in subordinate clauses.

Actions completed before another past action.

Common questions

Is "pouvoir" regular or irregular in French?: "pouvoir" is an irregular French verb. It does not follow the standard 3rd conjugation pattern and must be memorized.
How do you conjugate "pouvoir" in the present tense?: In the Présent, "pouvoir" conjugates as: peux, peux, pouvons, and more. See the full table above.
What is the past tense of "pouvoir" in French?: In the Passé Composé, "pouvoir" conjugates as: ai pu, as pu, avons pu, and more. See the full table above.
How common is "pouvoir" in French?: "pouvoir" (to be able to, can) is one of the most commonly used verbs in French.