Inklingo

How to Say "chances" in Spanish

English → Spanish

oportunidades

oh-poor-too-nee-DAH-des/o.por.tu.niˈða.ðes/

nounA1general
Use 'oportunidades' when referring to favorable occasions or times that present themselves, often related to jobs, travel, or personal growth.
A single, large, ornate wooden door stands open in the middle of a grassy field. Bright sunlight streams through the doorway, revealing a vibrant, lush landscape on the other side, symbolizing a new possibility.

Examples

Aproveché la oportunidad de estudiar en el extranjero.

I took the chance to study abroad.

Hay muchas oportunidades de trabajo en esta ciudad.

There are many job opportunities in this city.

Debes aprovechar todas las oportunidades que la vida te da.

You should take advantage of all the opportunities that life gives you.

Las nuevas tecnologías ofrecen grandes oportunidades para el aprendizaje.

New technologies offer great opportunities for learning.

Feminine Plural

Since the base word 'oportunidad' ends in -d, it is feminine. When you make it plural, it becomes 'oportunidades' and requires feminine plural words before it, like 'las' or 'muchas'.

Using 'Aprovechar'

The most common verb used with this word is 'aprovechar' (to take advantage of/seize). You often say 'aprovechar las oportunidades'.

Gender Error

Mistake: “Los oportunidades”

Correction: Las oportunidades. Remember that words ending in -dad, -tad, -tud, and -ción are almost always feminine in Spanish, even if they end in 'd'.

posibilidades

poh-see-bee-lee-DAH-des/posibiliˈðaðes/

nounA2general
Use 'posibilidades' when discussing the likelihood of something happening or the potential for success, especially in a competitive context like a game or a project.
A child standing at a point where three distinct, colorful paths branch out into different landscapes, symbolizing options.

Examples

¿Qué posibilidades tenemos de que nos inviten?

What chances do we have of being invited?

¿Cuáles son nuestras posibilidades de ganar el partido?

What are our chances of winning the game?

Hay muchas posibilidades para viajar este verano.

There are many possibilities for traveling this summer.

Debemos explorar todas las posibilidades antes de decidir.

We must explore all the options before deciding.

Always Plural in This Form

Even when you might say 'a possibility' in English, 'posibilidades' is often used in Spanish to refer to the overall situation or set of choices.

Using 'Oportunidades' for 'Chances'

Mistake: “Misusing 'oportunidades' (opportunities) when you mean 'likelihood' or 'chances of success'.”

Correction: Use 'posibilidades' when talking about the probability of something happening: 'Hay pocas posibilidades de lluvia' (There are few chances of rain).

probabilidades

pro-ba-bi-li-DA-des/pɾo.βa.βi.liˈða.ðes/

nounB1general
Use 'probabilidades' in a more formal or statistical context to express the likelihood or chance of a specific event occurring.
A storybook illustration of a small rabbit standing at a fork in a grassy path, symbolizing the chances of choosing one direction over another. One path leads toward a sun, and the other toward a cloud.

Examples

Las probabilidades de lluvia son altas esta tarde.

The chances of rain are high this afternoon.

Hay muchas probabilidades de que el proyecto funcione.

There are high chances that the project will work.

Las probabilidades estaban en nuestra contra, pero ganamos.

The odds were against us, but we won.

¿Qué probabilidades hay de que me den el trabajo?

What are the chances that they give me the job?

Always Plural and Feminine

Even if you are talking about a single chance, this word is almost always used in its plural form, 'probabilidades.' Since it is feminine, you use 'las' before it.

Using the Subjunctive

When 'probabilidades' is used to express uncertainty about the future, the next verb often needs the special verb form (subjunctive): 'Hay probabilidades de que llueva' (There are chances that it will rain).

Using the Singular Form

Mistake: “La probabilidad es alta.”

Correction: Las probabilidades son altas. (While 'la probabilidad' exists, the plural 'las probabilidades' is far more common in everyday speech.)

Oportunidades vs. Posibilidades

Learners often confuse 'oportunidades' and 'posibilidades'. Remember that 'oportunidades' refers to actual openings or favorable moments, while 'posibilidades' deals with the abstract likelihood or potential of something occurring.

Related Translations

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