How to Say "prospects" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “prospects” is “expectativas” — use 'expectativas' when referring to hopes or beliefs about what will happen in the future, especially regarding success or fulfillment.
expectativas
eks-pek-ta-TEE-bahsekspektaˈtiβas
Examples
La película superó todas mis expectativas.
The movie exceeded all my expectations.
Tengo altas expectativas para el nuevo trabajo.
I have high expectations for the new job.
Hay buenas expectativas de crecimiento económico este año.
There are good prospects for economic growth this year.
Always Feminine and Usually Plural
This word is feminine (las expectativas). While you can use the singular 'expectativa', we almost always use the plural when talking about general hopes or standards for a person or project.
Expectativa vs. Esperanza
Mistake: “Using 'expectativa' for a purely emotional wish.”
Correction: Use 'esperanza' for emotional hope and 'expectativa' for a calculated or logical expectation of what will likely happen.
posibilidades
poh-see-bee-lee-DAH-desposibiliˈðaðes
Examples
¿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).
futuro
foo-TOO-rohfuˈtu.ɾo
Examples
Nadie sabe qué pasará en el futuro.
Nobody knows what will happen in the future.
Es una carrera con mucho futuro.
It's a career with a lot of future (prospects).
En el futuro, me gustaría viajar por el mundo.
In the future, I would like to travel the world.
Always Masculine
Even though 'the future' is an abstract idea, in Spanish it's a masculine noun. Always say 'el futuro' or 'un futuro'.
'futuro' vs. 'porvenir'
Mistake: “Using 'futuro' and 'porvenir' exactly the same way.”
Correction: 'Futuro' is the general word for all future time. 'Porvenir' is more poetic and often refers to a person's destiny or professional prospects. For everyday use, 'futuro' is almost always the right choice.
porvenir
por-be-neerpoɾβeˈniɾ
Examples
Ella estudia medicina pensando en su porvenir.
She is studying medicine thinking about her future.
Nadie sabe qué nos depara el porvenir.
Nobody knows what the future holds for us.
Ese joven tiene un porvenir brillante en la música.
That young man has a bright future/prospects in music.
Always Masculine
Even though it doesn't end in 'o', this word is always masculine. You should always use 'el' or 'un' with it.
Porvenir vs. Futuro
While they both mean 'future,' 'porvenir' is often used for personal success or a long-term outlook, while 'futuro' is more general.
Confusing it with 'Coming'
Mistake: “Using 'por venir' (two words) when you mean the noun.”
Correction: Use 'el porvenir' (one word) to mean 'the future'. Use 'por venir' (two words) to mean 'yet to come' or 'about to arrive'.
probabilidades
pro-ba-bi-li-DA-despɾo.βa.βi.liˈða.ðes
Examples
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.)
General Future vs. Specific Chances
Related Translations
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