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Spanish Phrase

¿Puedes arreglarlo?

/ˈpwe.ðes a.reˈɣɾaɾ.lo/
Meaning"Can you fix it?"
💡

Meaning

A direct, informal request asking someone if they are able to fix something. The speaker expects a yes/no answer or a brief explanation.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase with friends, family, or coworkers when you need a quick fix and the relationship is informal. In a formal setting, switch to ‘¿Puede arreglarlo?’ or use a more polite conditional form.

✦Grammar Breakdown

¿Puedesarreglarlo?

1

Poder (present)

‘Puedes’ is the second‑person singular (tú) present form of the verb ‘poder’, meaning ‘can’ or ‘to be able to’.

2

Infinitive + Direct Object Pronoun

‘Arreglarlo’ combines the infinitive ‘arreglar’ (to fix) with the masculine direct‑object pronoun ‘lo’, referring to the thing to be fixed.

3

Question Marks

Spanish uses an opening ‘¿’ and a closing ‘?’ for all questions; never omit the opening mark.

🗨In Conversation

A

¿Puedes arreglarlo?

Can you fix it?

Sí, lo arreglo en un momento.

Yes, I’ll fix it in a moment.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • puedes arreglarlo?

    Missing opening question mark; Spanish questions require ‘¿’ at the start.

  • ¿Puedes arreglarlo?

    Using ‘puedes’ with a formal ‘usted’ audience sounds too familiar; switch to ‘¿Puede arreglarlo?’

  • ¿Puedes arreglarlo?

    If the object is feminine, replace ‘lo’ with ‘la’ (e.g., ‘¿Puedes arreglarla?’ for ‘the computer’).

↔Alternatives

  • ¿Podrías arreglarlo?

    Could you fix it?

  • ¿Me lo puedes arreglar?

    Can you fix it for me?

  • ¿Puede arreglarlo?

    Can you (formal) fix it?

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Cultural Tip

In most Spanish‑speaking countries, ‘puedes’ signals a casual tone. If you’re speaking to a stranger, a superior, or someone older, use the formal ‘¿Puede arreglarlo?’ or the conditional ‘¿Podría arreglarlo?’ to show respect. Also, ‘arreglar’ can mean ‘to arrange’ or ‘to settle a problem’, so context matters.