Voida

Translations

1. can, to be able to, to be capable [with first infinitive]
   • Synonyms: kyetä, pystyä, (in the past tense) saattaa
   • tehdä voitavansa ― to do what one can, to do one's best
   • En voinut olla nauramatta.
     • I couldn't help laughing.
2. can, may, might, to be possible [with first infinitive]
   • Synonym: saattaa
   • Teline voi kaatua.
     • The stand/rack may fall over.
3. (in the conditional mood) could [with first infinitive]
   • Voisitko auttaa minua?
     • Could you please help me?
   • Voisin juosta, jos haluaisin.
     • I could run if I wanted.
4. (see usage notes) may, to be allowed (to), to be permitted (to) [with first infinitive]
   • Synonym: saada
   • Voinko avata ikkunan?
     • May I open the window?
5. can, to be acceptable, appropriate or justified (to); (with negative) should, must (not) [with first infinitive]
   • Synonym: sopia
   • Voiko tälläistä kysyä?
     • Can I ask something like this?
   • Sen vaikutusta ei voi vähätellä.
     • Its effect should not be underestimated.
   • Hänen rooliaan perheen hyvinvoinnin edistämisessä ei voi myöskään aliarvioida.
     • Neither should her role in improving the family's wellbeing be belittled.
6. to be, feel, do, fare (to enquire or talk about wellbeing)
   • Kuinka voitte?
     • How are you? / How are you doing?
   • En voi kovin hyvin.
     • I'm not feeling too well.
7. can do [with allative ‘about’] (be able to influence)
   • Minkä minä sille voin?
     • What can I do about it? [What am I supposed to do about it?]

Conjugations

Indicative Conjugations

The present, imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect (past perfect) tenses in English correspond to "speaks", "spoke", "has spoken", and "had spoken".

Conditional Conjugations

The conditional present and perfect moods in English typically correspond to "would" and "would have".