Inklingo
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chance

/chahn-seh/

opportunity

A small, cheerful person standing in a dark hallway, looking excitedly at a large, brightly illuminated open doorway leading to a sunny, inviting landscape.

When you have a favorable time or set of circumstances, you have a 'chance' (opportunity).

chance(noun)

mA2

opportunity

?

a favorable time or set of circumstances

Also:

shot

?

a try; a possibility to do something

,

turn

?

a specific time slot

📝 In Action

Solo necesito un chance para demostrar mi valor.

A2

I just need one chance to prove my worth.

Si me das un chance, puedo arreglarlo.

A2

If you give me a shot, I can fix it.

Llegué tarde y perdí el chance de verla.

B1

I arrived late and missed the opportunity to see her.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • dar un chance – to give a chance/shot
  • tener chance – to have a chance/possibility

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Even though 'chance' sounds like an English word, in Spanish it is always masculine, so you must use 'el chance' or 'un chance'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'La Chance'

Mistake: "La chance"

Correction: El chance. Remember that this word is masculine.

⭐ Usage Tips

Latin American Preference

While understood everywhere, 'chance' is far more common in Latin America (especially Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean) than in Spain, where 'oportunidad' is almost always preferred.

A simple drawing of a hand gently tossing a single, blank white cube (a die) into the air, illustrating the uncertainty and likelihood of an event's outcome.

'Chance' can also refer to the likelihood or probability of an event occurring.

chance(noun)

mB1

probability

?

likelihood of an event

Also:

possibility

?

something that might happen

,

risk

?

the chance of loss or failure

📝 In Action

No hay chance de que el tren llegue a tiempo con esta nevada.

B1

There is no possibility that the train will arrive on time with this snowfall.

¿Qué chance tenemos de que nos den el trabajo?

B2

What probability do we have of getting the job?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • cero chance – zero chance
  • alto chance – high chance

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'No hay chance'

This fixed phrase is extremely common and means 'There is no way' or 'It’s impossible.' It is often followed by 'de que' and the special form of the verb used for wishes and doubts (the subjunctive).

⭐ Usage Tips

Contextual Clues

If 'chance' is used in the negative ('no hay chance'), it almost always refers to impossibility or low probability, not a missed opportunity.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: chance

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'chance' to mean 'a try' or 'a shot'?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'chance' the same as 'oportunidad'?

They are synonyms, meaning 'opportunity,' but 'oportunidad' is the traditional Spanish word and is used everywhere. 'Chance' is a modern borrowing, often considered more informal, and is much more common in Latin America than in Spain.

Does 'chance' have a verb form?

No. Although it comes from a noun that can be used as a verb in English, in Spanish 'chance' is only a noun. To express the idea of 'to take a chance,' you would use verbs like 'arriesgarse' (to risk oneself) or 'intentar' (to try).