Inklingo

How to Say "opportunities" in Spanish

English → Spanish

oportunidades

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

nounA1general
Use 'oportunidades' for general possibilities or chances, especially in contexts like employment, education, 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

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'.

ocasiones

oh-kah-SYOH-ness/o.kaˈsjo.nes/

nounA1general
Use 'ocasiones' when referring to specific instances, moments, or chances that happen from time to time, similar to 'sometimes' or 'on occasion'.
Three distinct, small storybook panels aligned horizontally, showing a sequence of different times: a sunrise, a rain shower, and a full moon.

Examples

En ocasiones, me gusta desayunar tarde.

Sometimes (on occasions), I like to have a late breakfast.

Solo nos vemos en ocasiones especiales, como Navidad.

We only see each other on special occasions, like Christmas.

Perdió muchas ocasiones para invertir su dinero.

He missed many opportunities to invest his money.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'ocasión' is always a feminine word, so it uses 'la' or 'las' (las ocasiones).

Ocasiones vs. Veces

Mistake: “Using 'veces' when referring to a specific event or formal gathering (e.g., 'Fuimos a la boda dos veces').”

Correction: Use 'ocasiones' for specific events or chances (e.g., 'Fue una ocasión especial'). Use 'veces' when counting how many times something happened (e.g., 'Fui a la tienda tres veces').

puertas

PWEHR-tas/ˈpweɾtas/

nounB1figurative
Use 'puertas' figuratively to mean pathways or access to new possibilities, often related to careers or new experiences.
A stylized image showing a person looking through an open door. The area outside the door is brightly lit and shows a beautiful, inviting landscape, symbolizing opportunity.

Examples

Estudiar un idioma abre muchas puertas de trabajo.

Studying a language opens many doors (opportunities) for work.

Necesitas tocar todas las puertas si quieres conseguir financiación.

You need to knock on all the doors if you want to get funding.

Figurative Plural

In Spanish, we often use the plural 'puertas' when referring to abstract 'opportunities' (like doors of access), even if in English you might say 'an open door'.

Using 'ocasiones' for general possibilities

The most common mistake is using 'ocasiones' when you mean general possibilities or chances, for which 'oportunidades' is the correct term. Remember 'ocasiones' refers to specific instances or occurrences, not broad potential.

Related Translations

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