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How to Say "possible" in Spanish

English → Spanish

posible

/po-SEE-bleh//poˈsi.βle/

adjectiveA1general
Use this for general situations where something can happen, can be done, or is feasible, without implying a strong likelihood or a specific future risk.
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.

capaz

/ka-pas//kaˈpas/

adjectiveB2general
Use this when 'possible' means 'likely to happen' or 'probable,' often implying a degree of expectation.
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.

potencial

poh-ten-SYAL/po.tenˈsjal/

adjectiveB1general
Use this to describe a possibility that exists now but may or may not happen in the future, often in the context of risks or opportunities.
A simple illustration of a small brown seed resting in dark earth, with a faint green outline indicating the plant that will grow from it.

Examples

Existe un riesgo potencial de inundación en la zona baja.

There is a potential risk of flooding in the low area.

Necesitamos identificar a los clientes potenciales.

We need to identify the potential clients.

Always Ends in -al

The adjective 'potencial' is special because it works for both masculine and feminine nouns, and it always ends in '-al' (e.g., el riesgo potencial, la amenaza potencial).

Don't Change the Ending for Gender

Mistake: “La amenaza potenciala.”

Correction: La amenaza potencial. (The ending does not change to match the feminine noun.)

General vs. Likely

Learners often use 'posible' when they mean 'likely.' Remember that 'capaz' specifically conveys that something is probable or expected to happen, whereas 'posible' is more neutral about the likelihood.

Related Translations

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