Verb Stem + سکنا

Being Able to

Level 2

Separate the action from the ability to perform it.

How It Works

A subject with feminine agreement selects سکتی; masculine plural or respectful agreement selects سکتے. The modal carries the changing ending.

The construction can also express practical possibility or permission. آپ یہاں بیٹھ سکتے ہیں can permit a seat; it need not describe physical ability.

A perfective form such as سکا can carry an accomplishment reading. Do not assume that every English could is translated by the same Urdu tense/aspect combination.

Examples (4)

  1. مریم یہ خط پڑھ سکتی ہے۔

    Maryam can read this letter.

    The stem پڑھ precedes feminine سکتی.

  2. آپ یہاں بیٹھ سکتے ہیں۔

    You can sit here.

    The context can make this permission or practical possibility.

  3. ہم یہ دروازہ کھول سکتے ہیں۔

    We can open this door.

    The group controls سکتے ہیں.

  4. میں کل نہیں آ سکوں گا۔

    I will not be able to come tomorrow.

    The future modal uses first-person singular سکوں گا.

Common Mistakes

  • Using an infinitive before سکتی.

    مریم یہ خط پڑھنا سکتی ہے۔
    مریم یہ خط پڑھ سکتی ہے۔

    Remove نا; سکنا takes the verb stem in this pattern.

How It Connects

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

Verb Stem + سکناLevel 2Being Able to

Learn This First

Conjugate the modal element for the statement.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

سکنا