Spanish Phrase
¿Se puede arreglar?
Meaning
This question asks whether something is repairable or if it is possible to fix it. It is neutral and polite, suitable for both formal and informal situations.
When to use
Use it when you bring a broken item to a repair shop, ask a friend about a malfunctioning device, or inquire about the feasibility of fixing a problem in a workplace.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Sepuedearreglar?
Impersonal "se"
The pronoun "se" is used to make a statement impersonal, similar to "one can" or "it is possible to" in English.
Poder in present
"puede" is the third‑person singular present of the verb "poder" (to be able), agreeing with the impersonal subject.
Infinitive after modal verb
After "poder", the infinitive "arreglar" follows directly without a preposition.
🗨In Conversation
¿Se puede arreglar?
Can it be fixed?
Sí, lo podemos arreglar en una hora.
Yes, we can fix it in an hour.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Se puede arreglarlo?
The object pronoun "lo" is redundant because the impersonal "se" already covers the idea of "it".
¿Puedes arreglar?
Using "puedes" makes the question personal and may sound demanding; the impersonal form is more polite.
Se puede arreglar?
Missing the opening question mark is a punctuation error in Spanish.
↔Alternatives
¿Se puede reparar?
Can it be repaired?
¿Se puede arreglar esto?
Can this be fixed?
¿Se puede arreglarlo?
Can it be fixed?
Cultural Tip
The impersonal "se" construction is preferred when you want to sound courteous and avoid assigning responsibility. Directly asking "¿Puedes arreglarlo?" can sound too personal or demanding, especially with service staff you don't know well.