Verbs- Nuances

Question 1

Potere vs Riuscire

Answer 1

Potere expresses the ability or inability to do something when it depends on us, other people, or external circumstances.

Non posso farlo! – I can’t do it (because of an external circumstance or because of my own wishes).
Riuscire expresses the ability or inability to do something when it depends on our physical or mental capacity to do something, so on internal circumstances.

Non riesco a farlo! – I can’t do it (I can’t do it, because I don’t have the mental or physical capacity to do it. Maybe I can’t climb the top of a mountain because I’m not physically fit or I have vertigo).

Non posso bere alcool – I can’t drink, because, for example, I’m underage or I’m pregnant (external circumstance)
Non posso mangiare frutti di mare – I can’t have seafood, maybe because I’m allergic (external circumstance, I didn’t choose it)
Non posso dirlo – I can’t say because I’ve been asked to keep a secret (external circumstance)
Riuscire (a) – internal circumstances

Non riesco a bere – I can’t drink, because maybe I don’t like it or I’m dizzy (internal circumstance)
Non riesco a mangiare frutti di mare – maybe because it disgusts me (internal circumstance)