Difference Poder Conseguir

Question 1

I can’t drive
Eu não posso / consigo conduzir

Answer 1

The verb poder is implying that the person speaking is not allowed to drive.

This phrase (consigo) suggests that the speaker is unable to drive for a physical or psychological reason

Question 2

Poder and conseguir are typically not interchangeable.

Conseguir

eu consigo●
tu consegues
ele consegue
nós conseguimos
vós conseguis
eles conseguem

Answer 2

Poder

eu posso●
tu podes
ele pode
nós podemos
vós podeis
eles podem

Question 3

I can’t go to the party.

I am not allowed to go to the party. Maybe I have been banned from going?

Answer 3

Eu não posso ir a festa.

Question 4

She can’t speak to me like that.
She is not allowed to / shouldn’t speak to me like that.

Answer 4

Ela não pode falar assim (like that) comigo.

Question 5

Poder is also used when we request something or ask for permission, similar to how “may” is used in English:

Answer 5

May I?
Posso?
May I go to the bathroom please?
Posso ir a casa de banho?
Do I have permission?

Question 6

Can you pass me that glass?
Podes-me passar o copo?
I want to know if you’d do a favour for me, not whether you are physically capable of handing me the glass.

Answer 6

Accordingly, even if the question is not technically about asking for permission, you will often hear poder in questions. This is because it adds a subtle element of politeness.
Where can I find a cab?
Onde posso encontrar (find, meet) um táxi?

Question 7

conseguir is usually used in scenarios where you are attempting to achieve or obtain something. If you were capable of doing something and you managed to do it:

Answer 7

You did it! You managed!
Conseguiste!

Question 8

Last night I managed to sleep well.

Answer 8

A noite passada consegui dormir bem.

Question 9

Were you able to get tickets for Tony x’s concert?

Answer 9

Tu conseguiste bilhetes para o concerto do Tony x?

Question 10

I didn’t manage to buy diapers because the store was closed.

Answer 10

Eu não consegui comprar fraldas porque a loja estava fechada.

Question 11

You can do it, Nuno!

Answer 11

Tu consegues, Nuno!

Question 12

I managed to pass my exam.

Answer 12

Eu consegui passar o meu exame.

Question 13

My coworker got a promotion.

Answer 13

O meu colega de trabalho conseguiu uma promoção.

Question 14

Sometimes both works.
Poder may also fit if you include the reason / condition in the sentence. For example:
I can eat apples because I have teeth.

Answer 14

Eu posso comer maçãs porque tenho dentes.

Eu consigo comer maçãs porque tenho dentes.

Question 15

Both works:
You can buy clothes with that money.

Answer 15

Tu podes comprar roupa com esse dinheiro.
Tu consegues comprar roupa com esse dinheiro.

Question 16

However, if the reason / condition was specific to rules or permission, you would only want to use poder. For example, conseguir wouldn’t fit in this context:

Answer 16

I can eat apples because it’s not against the rules.
Eu posso comer maçãs porque não é contra as regras.

Question 17

poder
to be allowed to, may, can

– related to permission, politeness

Answer 17

conseguir
to manage to, get, achieve, can

– related to ability