Copper (Cu) has a variable oxidation state, meaning it can have different charges depending on the chemical compound it's in. Here are the most common oxidation states for copper:

* +1: This is known as the cuprous state. Examples include CuCl (copper(I) chloride) and Cu₂O (copper(I) oxide).

* +2: This is known as the cupric state. Examples include CuO (copper(II) oxide) and CuSO₄ (copper(II) sulfate).

Important Note: While copper can have other, less common oxidation states like +3, these are not as prevalent as the +1 and +2 states.