il a pu

could have, may have

→ il

phrase Uncommon #16,714

could have, may have Depending on context, it can mean that he was able to do something, or that something may have happened.

FR: Je ne sais pas pourquoi il a pu partir si tôt.

EN: I don't know why he could have left so early.

Il est venu dès qu'il a pu.

He came as soon as he could.

Il a pu apporter l'Anneau jusqu'ici.

He was able to bring the Ring here.

— Le Seigneur des anneaux : La Communauté de l'anneau (2001)

Voilà comment il a pu respirer dans notre atmosphère.

This is how he was able to breathe in our atmosphere.

Il a pu être conçu par les midi-chloriens.

It could have been designed by midi-chlorians.

— Star Wars, épisode I - La Menace fantôme (1999)

Comment il a pu faire ça ?

How could he have done that?

Il a pu le faire parce qu'il a les moyens.

He was able to do it because he has the means.

— Carnets de voyage (2004)

Comme la piste est dégagée, il a pu accélérer davantage durant ce tour.

Because the track was clear, he was able to accelerate more during that lap.

— F1® Le Film (2025)

Il a pu avoir l'aide de sa sœur pour peindre le mur de sa chambre.

He was able to get his sister's help painting his bedroom wall.

Il a pu être enlevé.

He may have been abducted.

— La piel que habito (2011)

Mais il a pu résoudre ce problème avant de s'en aller.

But he was able to solve this problem before leaving.

— PIKU (2015)

Il est arrivé aussitôt qu'il a pu.

He arrived as soon as he could.

Comment il a pu me faire ça ?

How could he do this to me?

— Salé, Sucré (1994)

Il a pu lui arriver quelque chose.

Something could have happened to him.

Dieu sait à qui d'autre il a pu envoyer cette cassette.

God knows who else he may have sent this tape to.

— Caché (2005)

Il a pu contacter quelqu'un.

He was able to contact someone.

— Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Fais chier, il a pu la voir.

Damn it, he was able to see her.

— Silent Voice (2016)

Mais il a pu sortir par la fenêtre et filer par l'escalier de secours.

But he managed to get out through the window and escape down the fire escape.

— Mystic River (2003)

Il a pu nous arriver de laisser le petit, seul à la maison.

There have been times when we've left the little one home alone.

— Les Quatre Cents Coups (1959)

Les sous, il a pu les perdre dedans.

He could have lost the money in it.

— Cinema Paradiso (1988)

Je crois qu'il a pu être quelqu'un de bien.

I think he may have been a good person.

— Bacurau (2019)

Il a pu déduire l'équipement de son bureau de ses impôts.

He was able to deduct his office equipment from his taxes.

Une idée d'où il a pu aller ?

Any idea where he might have gone?

Vous croyez qu'il a pu retourner à Paris ?

Do you think he was able to return to Paris?

— La Nuit américaine (1973)