haber podido

to have been able to

→ haber

phrase Common #2,755

to have been able to The perfect infinitive of poder, used to refer to an ability or possibility in the past. It often appears with expressions of regret, wishing, or relief, such as desearía haber podido and lamento no haber podido.

SP: Me alegra haber podido ayudarte.

EN: I'm glad I was able to help you.

Desearía haber podido hablar en español.

I wish I could have spoken in Spanish.

Me alegro de haber podido estudiar francés con un nativo.

I'm glad I was able to study French with a native speaker.

Siempre pienso, que tendrían que haber podido regresar.

I always think that they should have been able to come back.

— Salyut-7: Héroes en el espacio (2017)

Siento no haber podido escribir siempre.

I'm sorry I haven't always been able to write.

— Una gran mujer (Beanpole) (2019)

Tom deseaba haber podido pasar más tiempo con María.

Tom wished he could have spent more time with Maria.

Lamento mucho no haber podido ayudar.

I'm very sorry I wasn't able to help.

Me alegra haber podido ayudarle la semana pasada.

I'm glad I was able to help you last week.

Desearía haber podido hacer más.

I wish I could have done more.

Siento no haber podido ayudarla a sentirse mejor.

I'm sorry I couldn't help her feel better.

— Psicosis (1960)