"I can wait for you."

Translation: Eu posso esperar por você.

[NatalyaJoly]

Why "Eu posso esperar para você" is wrong?

[r_i_l_e_y]

I have read that poder is more related to permission, where conseguir is more related to ability. If this is the case wouldn't "eu consigo esperar por você" be more appropriate here?

[Paulenrique]

It would sound weird. Its not an original ability but a fact by the circunstance... so, poder works better

[r_i_l_e_y]

ah ok, so I conseguir is more related to a skill? eg Eu consigo corre rápido. Eu posso ver o pássaro.?

[Paulenrique]

On the second option you can use both: eu posso/consigo ver o pássaro. But, "eu consigo esperar por você" would work too. "What if i have to leave you for a year due to work?" / "sem problemas, eu posso/consigo esperar por você". So, it will depend on the context. A bit complicated

[r_i_l_e_y]

No worries, cheers Paulo.

[Paulenrique]

:) use both... you'll bebunderstood by everybody...

[Nancy720152]

Thanks Paulenrique.

[PascoalNor]

I noticed that the portugues word for "for" changes often. Sometimes it is "por" and sometimes "para" (which I know as "to").