می‌توانم + Subjunctive

Being Able to Do Something

Level 3

می‌توانم بیایم means I can come. The ability verb and its action complement normally identify the same actor in this basic construction.

How It Works

Name the ability and action. می‌توانم این کتاب را بخوانم means “I can read this book.” می‌توانم supplies first-person ability, and بخوانم names reading with the same first-person actor.

For a plural subject, ما می‌توانیم بیاییم means “We can come.” Both verbs identify the group. Do not leave one form first singular after changing the subject to ما.

نمی‌توانم بیایم means “I cannot come.” The negation is on the ability verb: it denies the ability or possibility of coming. Do not confuse that meaning with a dependent negative action chosen under another verb.

A question such as می‌توانید کمک کنید؟ can politely request help as well as ask about literal ability. The situation determines the request reading; the plural-shaped address remains respectful.

Common everyday Iranian forms include می‌تونم, and the complement also follows its actual spoken form, as in می‌تونم بیام. This is labeled conversational usage, not a spelling rule for formal writing.

Examples (4)

  1. می‌توانم این کتاب را بخوانم.

    I can read this book.

    Both first-singular forms identify the reader.

  2. ما می‌توانیم بیاییم.

    We can come.

    Both verbs use first-plural person.

  3. نمی‌توانم بیایم.

    I cannot come.

    Negation denies the ability or possibility.

  4. می‌تونم بیام.

    I can come.

    Common everyday first-singular counterparts of the written forms.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

می‌توانم + SubjunctiveLevel 3Being Able to Do Something

Learn This First

Combine a person-marked ability verb with an attested subjunctive action form, keeping the actor consistent in the basic construction.