Inklingo

How to Say "chance" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “chance” is “casualidad” — use 'casualidad' when referring to an unexpected coincidence or something happening without planning, often in everyday conversation..

casualidad🔊A2

Use 'casualidad' when referring to an unexpected coincidence or something happening without planning, often in everyday conversation.

{ui.learnMore}
suerte🔊A1

Use 'suerte' when 'chance' implies good or bad fortune, luck, or a random possibility, especially when wishing someone well.

{ui.learnMore}
oportunidad🔊A2

Choose 'oportunidad' when 'chance' refers to a favorable moment or possibility to do something.

{ui.learnMore}
posibilidad🔊A2

Use 'posibilidad' when referring to the likelihood or a potential way something could happen.

{ui.learnMore}
azar🔊B1

Use 'azar' when 'chance' refers to randomness, unpredictability, or outcomes determined by luck, like in games of chance.

{ui.learnMore}
ocasiónB1

Opt for 'ocasión' when 'chance' means a suitable moment or an opportunity to act.

{ui.learnMore}
probabilidad🔊B1

Use 'probabilidad' specifically when referring to the statistical likelihood or probability of a particular outcome.

{ui.learnMore}
fortuna🔊A2

Use 'fortuna' when 'chance' refers to good fortune or luck, often implying a positive outcome due to random events.

{ui.learnMore}
accidente🔊B2

Use 'accidente' when 'chance' refers to an unplanned or unexpected event, often with a sense of fate or destiny.

{ui.learnMore}
acaso🔊C1

Use 'acaso' to refer to fate, destiny, or pure coincidence, often implying a sense of the inexplicable.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

casualidad

/kah-soo-ah-lee-DADH//kaswaliˈðað/

nounA2
Use 'casualidad' when referring to an unexpected coincidence or something happening without planning, often in everyday conversation.
A high-quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing two distinct characters, one wearing a green hat and the other a blue scarf, looking surprised as they unexpectedly bump shoulders while walking on a path, symbolizing a coincidence.

Examples

¡Qué casualidad! Estaba pensando en ti.

What a coincidence! I was just thinking about you.

Encontré las llaves perdidas por pura casualidad.

I found the lost keys purely by chance.

Si ves a mi hermano, ¿podrías decirle que me llame? Solo si es casualidad.

If you see my brother, could you tell him to call me? Only if it’s by chance.

The 'By Chance' Expression

To say that something happened 'by chance' or 'accidentally,' always use the fixed expression 'por casualidad.' This is a key phrase to memorize.

Casualidad vs. Accidente

Mistake: “Using 'casualidad' to mean a car crash or a physical injury.”

Correction: Use 'accidente' for crashes or physical mishaps. 'Casualidad' refers only to an unpredicted event or coincidence: 'Tuvimos un accidente de coche' (We had a car accident).

suerte

/SWER-teh//ˈsweɾ.te/

nounA1
Use 'suerte' when 'chance' implies good or bad fortune, luck, or a random possibility, especially when wishing someone well.
A vibrant illustration of a lucky charm, like a four-leaf clover, glowing brightly against a simple background.

Examples

¡Te deseo mucha suerte!

I wish you lots of luck!

¡Qué mala suerte que perdimos el tren!

What bad luck that we missed the train!

Tuvimos la suerte de conseguir una mesa sin reserva.

We had the good fortune of getting a table without a reservation.

To Be Lucky = 'Tener suerte'

In Spanish, you don't 'be' lucky, you 'have' luck. Always use the verb 'tener' (to have). For example, 'Yo tengo suerte' means 'I am lucky'.

Saying 'Soy suerte'

Mistake: “To say 'I am lucky', many learners translate directly and say 'Soy suerte'.”

Correction: The correct way is 'Tengo suerte'. Think of luck as a thing you possess. You can also use the adjective 'suertudo/a' ('Soy suertudo'), but 'tener suerte' is far more common.

oportunidad

/o-por-tu-ni-DAD//opoɾtuniˈðað/

nounA2
Choose 'oportunidad' when 'chance' refers to a favorable moment or possibility to do something.
A small figure standing on a green path looks forward as a large, bright golden key appears floating in the air directly in front of them, symbolizing a favorable moment.

Examples

Esta es una gran oportunidad para practicar tu español.

This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish.

No dejes pasar la oportunidad de viajar por el mundo.

Don't let the chance to travel the world pass you by.

Si me dan la oportunidad, demostraré que puedo hacerlo.

If they give me the opportunity, I will prove I can do it.

Always Feminine: 'la' oportunidad

Even though it doesn't end in '-a', 'oportunidad' is a feminine word. So, you always say 'la oportunidad' (the opportunity) or 'una oportunidad' (an opportunity).

Using 'de' vs. 'para'

Mistake: “Tengo una oportunidad por ganar el premio.”

Correction: Say 'Tengo una oportunidad de ganar el premio.' Use 'de' + a verb in its base form (like 'ganar') to say 'opportunity to do something'. Use 'para' to talk about the purpose or goal, often with a noun: 'Es una oportunidad para el cambio' (It's an opportunity for change).

posibilidad

/poh-see-bee-lee-DAHD//posiβiliˈðað/

nounA2
Use 'posibilidad' when referring to the likelihood or a potential way something could happen.
A tiny brown seed rests in dark, rich soil. Directly above the seed, a faint, glowing outline of a large, fully grown green tree symbolizes the potential held within.

Examples

¿Hay alguna posibilidad de que vengas mañana?

Is there any possibility that you will come tomorrow?

Exploramos todas las posibilidades antes de decidir la ruta.

We explored all the possibilities before deciding the route.

La posibilidad de que gane la lotería es remota, pero existe.

The chance that I win the lottery is remote, but it exists.

Using 'de'

Use the small word 'de' (of) to connect 'posibilidad' to the action or thing being discussed: 'la posibilidad de viajar' (the possibility of traveling).

Feminine Noun Rule

Remember that almost all Spanish words ending in -dad, like 'posibilidad,' are feminine and take the article 'la' or 'una'.

Gender Error

Mistake: “El posibilidad de ir...”

Correction: La posibilidad de ir... 'Posibilidad' is always feminine.

Subjunctive Following Uncertainty

Mistake: “Hay una posibilidad que llueve.”

Correction: Hay una posibilidad de que llueva. When expressing possibility or uncertainty, the following verb often uses a special form (the subjunctive, used here as 'llueva').

azar

/ah-SAHR/ or /ah-THAR//aˈθaɾ/

nounB1
Use 'azar' when 'chance' refers to randomness, unpredictability, or outcomes determined by luck, like in games of chance.
A brightly colored storybook illustration showing a large six-sided die frozen mid-roll in the air just before landing, symbolizing chance.

Examples

La lotería depende del puro azar.

The lottery depends on pure chance.

Encontré mi viejo libro por azar en la librería.

I found my old book by chance in the bookstore.

Elegimos el ganador al azar de entre todos los participantes.

We chose the winner at random from all the participants.

Always Masculine

Even though it ends in 'r', 'azar' is always a masculine noun, meaning you must use the article 'el' (el azar).

Confusing 'al azar' and 'por azar'

Mistake: “Using 'por azar' when describing the method of selection.”

Correction: Use 'al azar' (at random) to describe the *way* something is chosen (e.g., 'Lo elegí al azar'). Use 'por azar' (by chance) to describe *why* something happened (e.g., 'Nos encontramos por azar').

ocasión

nounB1
Opt for 'ocasión' when 'chance' means a suitable moment or an opportunity to act.

Examples

Si tengo ocasión, te llamaré mañana.

If I get the chance/opportunity, I will call you tomorrow.

probabilidad

/pro-bah-bee-lee-DAHD//pɾoβaβiliˈðad/

nounB1formal
Use 'probabilidad' specifically when referring to the statistical likelihood or probability of a particular outcome.
A hand tossing a shiny gold coin into the air to illustrate the concept of chance and likelihood.

Examples

Hay una alta probabilidad de lluvia esta tarde.

There is a high probability of rain this afternoon.

No veo ninguna probabilidad de éxito en este plan.

I don't see any chance of success in this plan.

Existe la probabilidad de que el examen sea difícil.

There is a likelihood that the exam will be difficult.

Always Feminine

Spanish nouns ending in -dad are almost always feminine. Use 'la' or 'una' with this word.

Using 'que'

When you follow this word with 'de que' and a verb, the second verb usually changes its form to show uncertainty (this is the 'subjunctive' form), like in: 'la probabilidad de que venga' (the probability that he comes).

Gender Error

Mistake: “el probabilidad”

Correction: la probabilidad (because nouns ending in -dad are feminine).

fortuna

for-TOO-nah/foɾˈtuna/

nounA2
Use 'fortuna' when 'chance' refers to good fortune or luck, often implying a positive outcome due to random events.
A bright green, perfect four-leaf clover centered on a lush background, symbolizing good luck.

Examples

Tuve la fortuna de encontrar mi cartera en el parque.

I had the good fortune (luck) to find my wallet in the park.

La fortuna le sonrió y ganó la lotería.

Fortune smiled on him and he won the lottery.

Por fortuna, llegamos justo antes de que cerraran.

Luckily, we arrived just before they closed.

Always Feminine

Since 'fortuna' ends in '-a' and describes a non-gendered concept, it is always a feminine noun and uses 'la' or 'una'.

Using 'Por Suerte' vs. 'Por Fortuna'

Mistake: “Using 'afortunadamente' too formally in casual speech.”

Correction: 'Por fortuna' is a very natural and common way to say 'luckily,' often replacing the longer adverb 'afortunadamente'.

accidente

/ak-see-DEN-tay//ak.siˈðen.te/

nounB2
Use 'accidente' when 'chance' refers to an unplanned or unexpected event, often with a sense of fate or destiny.
An illustration showing a winding river and a separate hiking trail unexpectedly converging into a single point in a green valley, symbolizing chance or coincidence.

Examples

Nuestro encuentro no fue planeado, fue un simple accidente del destino.

Our meeting wasn't planned, it was a simple accident of fate.

En la filosofía, se distingue entre la esencia y el accidente.

In philosophy, a distinction is made between essence and accident (a non-essential property).

acaso

/ah-CAH-soh//aˈkaso/

nounC1formal
Use 'acaso' to refer to fate, destiny, or pure coincidence, often implying a sense of the inexplicable.
A brightly colored red bouncy ball and a single yellow flower petal have fallen simultaneously and landed side-by-side on a patch of green grass, illustrating a random coincidence.

Examples

Todo fue obra del acaso, no de la planeación.

Everything was the work of chance, not planning.

Si lo consigues, será por acaso.

If you get it, it will be by chance.

Fixed Phrase

The most common way to use 'acaso' as a noun is in the prepositional phrase 'por acaso', meaning 'by chance' or 'accidentally'. (Note: This is often replaced by 'por casualidad').

Casualidad vs. Oportunidad

The most common mistake is confusing 'casualidad' (coincidence, lack of planning) with 'oportunidad' (a favorable moment or possibility). Remember, 'casualidad' is about how something happened (unexpectedly), while 'oportunidad' is about the potential to do something.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.