Puede más

[poli]

I think puede mas means más fuerte, o tiene más poder.
I'm nearly sure this is true but I've been wrong before. Am I right?

[Rusty]

Are you talking about a puede más ... que ... construct?
If so, it can be translated ... is stronger than ....

If it's alone, it means up to it or tough enough, as in He's up to it (He can take it).
If it's negated, it means isn't up to it or can't go on, as in He can't go on without her.

My :twocents:.

[CrOtALiTo]

Poli, you need to be more specific in kind of translate that you need.

Because it can to has much kinds of meaning.

[poli]

Al ladron, la idea de ganar mucho dinero sin trabajo puede más que el miedo de la carcel.
Puede más que significa is more powerful than.
Thanks for clarifying this for me. Is this a common usage? I haven't heard it before.

[CrOtALiTo]

I don't think son that, because the word Powerful than, it mean more Poder of something for example, you have more powerful than me, then the use the word powerful I don't believe to be the proper translate for that, then I can to give you this translate above the text, but I'm not sure if is the correct to way to translate that, but anyway I will give you my opinion.

Al ladron, la idea de ganar mucho dinero sin trabajo ( it can more than the fear) puede más que el miedo de la carcel.

If you believe that I'm in a wrong then you correct me.

[Rusty]

Al ladron, la idea de ganar mucho dinero sin trabajo puede más que el miedo de la carcel.
Puede más que significa is more powerful than.
Thanks for clarifying this for me. Is this a common usage? I haven't heard it before.

I highlighted the word que because it is part of the phrase in question.

To the thief, the idea of earning a lot of money without working is stronger than the fear of going to jail.

You can substitute is more powerful than or overpowers, if you'd like. And there are other English phrases that capture the same meaning.

The sentence could also be written as follows without a change in meaning:
Al ladron, puede más la idea de ganar mucho dinero sin trabajo que el miedo de la carcel.

However, the first construction is more common than the second. You'll find tons of hits for puede más que.

[poli]

I don't think so, because the phrase means more powerful than. It means more Poder of something. For example, you have more power than me, then the use the word powerful inn't the proper translate for that. Now, I will give you my translation of above the text. I'm not sure if is the correct to way to translate it, but anyway, I will give you my opinion.

Al ladron, la idea de ganar mucho dinero sin trabajo ( it can more than the fear) puede más que el miedo de la carcel.
To the thief, the idea of making a lot of money without work can be more powerful than the fear of imprisonment.
If you believe that I'm in a wrong then you can correct me.
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[Tomisimo]

Another possible translation in this case: overcomes. The translations already mentioned are good too.

Al ladron, la idea de ganar mucho dinero sin trabajo puede más que el miedo de la carcel.
To a thief, the idea of getting money without earning it [overcomes/is stronger than] the fear of going to jail.

[sosia]

Agree with all. :D