Spanish Phrase
¿Se pueden enviar líquidos por correo internacional?
Meaning
The sentence asks whether it is allowed to ship liquids through an international postal service. It is a neutral, formal question that could be used when planning to send cosmetics, medicines, or food items abroad.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to clarify customs or postal regulations before packing a parcel that contains any type of liquid – for example, when a friend abroad asks you to send a bottle of perfume, a bottle of sauce, or a sample of a homemade beverage.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sepuedenenviarlíquidosporcorreointernacional?
Impersonal / Passive "se"
The pronoun "se" creates an impersonal construction, equivalent to “one can” or “it is possible to” in English.
Verb "poder" in 3rd‑person plural
"pueden" is the present indicative of "poder" agreeing with the plural subject implied by the impersonal "se".
Infinitive after modal verb
When a modal verb (poder, deber, querer…) is used, the main action stays in the infinitive (enviar).
Plural noun "líquidos"
The noun is plural because the question refers to liquids in general, not a specific liquid.
Preposition "por"
"por" introduces the means or medium – here, "por correo internacional" means “by international mail”.
Compound noun "correo internacional"
A fixed phrase meaning “international mail/post”. No article is needed when it follows a preposition.
🗨In Conversation
¿Se pueden enviar líquidos por correo internacional?
Can liquids be sent by international mail?
Depende del país de destino; algunos prohíben líquidos inflamables o con alcohol.
It depends on the destination country; some forbid flammable or alcoholic liquids.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Se puedes enviar líquidos por correo internacional?
The subject is impersonal; the verb must agree with the plural implied by "se" (pueden).
¿Se pueden enviar líquidos por el correo internacional?
When "por" introduces the means, the article is omitted; adding "el" sounds unnatural.
¿Se pueden enviarse líquidos por correo internacional?
The reflexive form changes the meaning to “liquids send themselves”. Keep the infinitive without the reflexive pronoun.
↔Alternatives
¿Es posible mandar líquidos por correo internacional?
Is it possible to send liquids by international mail?
¿Se permite el envío de líquidos al extranjero?
Is the shipment of liquids abroad allowed?
¿Puedo enviar líquidos por correo fuera del país?
Can I send liquids by mail outside the country?
Cultural Tip
Customs regulations vary widely. In the EU, liquids over 100 ml are generally prohibited in regular mail, while many countries allow them if they are properly packaged and declared. Always check the postal service’s official list of prohibited items and consider using a courier that offers a “dangerous goods” service for liquids like perfumes or medicines.