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How to Say "likely" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “likely” is “probablemente” — use 'probablemente' when you want to express a high degree of certainty or expectation about something happening, similar to 'probably' in English..

English → Spanish

probablemente

/pro-bah-bleh-MEN-teh//pɾoˌβaβleˈmente/

adverbA2general
Use 'probablemente' when you want to express a high degree of certainty or expectation about something happening, similar to 'probably' in English.
A bright, sunny landscape featuring a green hill. A single, large, dark grey rain cloud is moving quickly into the sunny area, casting a noticeable shadow below, symbolizing a high probability of rain.

Examples

Probablemente llueva mañana.

It will probably rain tomorrow.

Si llegamos tarde, probablemente no haya asientos.

If we arrive late, there probably won't be any seats.

Probablemente él ya sabe la verdad, pero no quiere decirla.

He probably already knows the truth, but he doesn't want to say it.

Where does it go in a sentence?

You have flexibility! 'Probablemente' can usually go at the beginning of a sentence, right before the verb, or even at the end. The most common spot is at the very beginning.

Choosing the Verb Form (A Key Skill!)

After 'probablemente', the verb can be in its normal form (indicative) or a special 'maybe' form (subjunctive). Use the normal form when you feel pretty sure, and the 'maybe' form when you're less certain. For example, 'Probablemente viene' (He's probably coming - I'm fairly sure) vs. 'Probablemente venga' (He'll probably come - but it's more of a guess).

Forgetting the 'Maybe' Verb Form

Mistake: “Using the normal verb form when you want to express more doubt.”

Correction: To show you're less sure, switch to the special 'subjunctive' verb form. Instead of 'Probablemente es la mejor opción', try 'Probablemente sea la mejor opción' to sound more natural when expressing uncertainty.

probable

proh-BAH-bleh/pɾoˈβaβle/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'probable' as an adjective when stating that something is expected or anticipated, often used in constructions like 'Es probable que...' (It is probable that...)
A high-quality storybook illustration showing a cheerful small rabbit standing on a sunny hill, throwing a bright red ball towards a very wide, easy-to-hit blue hoop, symbolizing a likely or probable successful outcome.

Examples

Es probable que llueva esta tarde, mejor lleva paraguas.

It is probable that it will rain this afternoon, better take an umbrella.

La causa más probable del accidente fue la velocidad excesiva.

The most probable cause of the accident was excessive speed.

Los resultados probables de la elección se conocerán mañana.

The likely results of the election will be known tomorrow.

Use with Subjunctive

When you use the impersonal phrase 'Es probable que...' (It is likely that...), the next verb must be in the special 'subjunctive' form: 'Es probable que venga' (It is likely that he/she comes).

Gender Agreement

This adjective is one of the handy ones that is the same for both masculine and feminine nouns. It only changes when the noun is plural: 'el resultado probable' and 'la causa probable' become 'los resultados probables'.

Forgetting Subjunctive

Mistake: “Es probable que *viene* mañana.”

Correction: Es probable que *venga* mañana. (The likelihood introduces uncertainty, requiring the special verb form.)

fácil

adjectiveA1general
Use 'fácil' when 'likely' means 'easy to happen' or 'probable' in a very straightforward, almost guaranteed sense, often describing a situation's simplicity.

Examples

El examen de español fue muy fácil.

The Spanish exam was very easy.

capaz

/ka-pas//kaˈpas/

adjectiveB2informal
Use 'capaz' (often in the structure 'capaz que...') to express a possibility or a casual likelihood, similar to 'maybe' or 'it's possible that'.
A cheerful outdoor scene with a picnic blanket and bright sun, but a single, large, dark grey rain cloud is drifting into the frame, suggesting the possibility of rain.

Examples

Capaz que llueve más tarde.

Maybe it will rain later.

Es capaz de haberlo olvidado ya.

It's possible he's already forgotten it.

¿Vienes a la fiesta? —Capaz.

Are you coming to the party? —Maybe.

Using 'Capaz que' for 'Maybe'

In many parts of Latin America, people say 'Capaz que...' to mean 'Maybe...' or 'It's possible that...'. It's a very common and natural-sounding phrase in conversation.

Using it Alone

Mistake: “Yo capaz voy a la fiesta.”

Correction: **Capaz que** voy a la fiesta. When used to mean 'maybe' at the start of a sentence, it's almost always followed by 'que' to sound natural.

Probable vs. Probablemente

Learners often confuse 'probable' (adjective) and 'probablemente' (adverb). Remember that 'probable' modifies nouns or subjects (e.g., 'Es probable'), while 'probablemente' modifies verbs or entire clauses (e.g., 'Probablemente vendrá').

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