Expressing Probability
You might already know ser capaz de as a way to say someone is "capable of" or physically able to do something. In everyday European Portuguese, it also has another very common use: expressing probability. It translates perfectly to the English "might" or "is likely to."
Using "ser capaz de"
To express probability, conjugate ser, then add capaz de (or capazes de for plural subjects) and the infinitive of the main verb.
Impersonal Subjects (Weather)
When talking about the weather, English uses the dummy pronoun "it" (e.g., "It might rain"). In Portuguese, use the third-person singular: é capaz de.
| It might rain tomorrow, so I am taking the raincoat. | É capaz de chover amanhã, por isso levo a gabardina. |
| It might hail before the sunset. | É capaz de cair granizo antes do pôr do sol. |
Specific Subjects
When making a guess about a specific noun, conjugate ser to match the subject.
| The weather might get worse and ruin the getaway. | O tempo é capaz de piorar e estragar a escapadinha. |
| The frost might destroy the plants if the cold gets worse. | A geada é capaz de destruir as plantas se o frio piorar. |
Plural Subjects and "Capazes"
Because capaz functions like an adjective, it must agree in number with the subject. The plural form is capazes. For a plural subject like nós (we), use somos capazes de.
| If the sky clears up, we might go to the terrace. | Se o céu desanuviar, somos capazes de ir à esplanada. |
| We might watch the sunset, since the weather cleared up. | Somos capazes de ver o pôr do sol, já que o tempo desanuviou. |
