Inklingo

How to Say "feasible" in Spanish

English → Spanish

posible

po-SEE-blehpoˈsi.βle

adjectiveA1general
Use 'posible' when you are asking if something can be done or if a situation can happen, focusing on the possibility or likelihood.
A cheerful small child wearing bright red boots easily stepping across a narrow, shallow blue stream from one grassy bank to the other, symbolizing an achievable action.

Examples

¿Es posible llegar antes de las cinco?

Is it possible to arrive before five?

Busco una solución posible al problema.

I'm looking for a possible solution to the problem.

No es posible que él no sepa la verdad.

It's not possible that he doesn't know the truth.

One Form for Masculine and Feminine

Good news! Posible doesn't change for gender. It's un plan posible (a possible plan) and una idea posible (a possible idea). It just adds an 's' for plural things: planes posibles, ideas posibles.

The 'Es posible que...' Trigger

When you say Es posible que... (It's possible that...), you're talking about uncertainty. This often triggers a special verb form called the subjunctive. For example: Es posible que llueva (It's possible that it will rain), not Es posible que llueve.

Using 'posible' for people's abilities

Mistake: “No es posible para mí ir a la fiesta.”

Correction: No puedo ir a la fiesta. To say you 'can' or 'can't' do something, it's more natural to use the verb `poder` (to be able). Use `posible` for situations or events.

viable

bee-AH-blehbiˈaβle

adjectiveB2general
Use 'viable' when referring to a plan, idea, or project that is practical, workable, and likely to succeed or be implemented.
A simple drawing of a wooden bridge successfully crossing a small stream.

Examples

Tu idea para el nuevo negocio es muy viable.

Your idea for the new business is very viable.

Necesitamos encontrar una solución viable para el problema del tráfico.

We need to find a workable solution for the traffic problem.

Sin más dinero, el proyecto dejará de ser viable en tres meses.

Without more money, the project will stop being viable in three months.

One Form for All

In Spanish, describing words that end in '-e' stay the same for both men and women. You can say 'un plan viable' or 'una idea viable' without changing the word.

Placement

Just like most describing words in Spanish, 'viable' usually comes after the thing it is describing (e.g., 'proyecto viable').

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “una opción viabla”

Correction: una opción viable. Remember, words ending in -e don't change to -a for feminine things.

Posible vs. Viable

Learners often confuse 'posible' and 'viable' by using 'posible' for practical plans. Remember, 'posible' simply asks if something can happen, while 'viable' emphasizes that it is a practical and workable solution.

Related Translations

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