Breakdown of É capaz de chover amanhã, por isso levo a gabardina.
amanhã
tomorrow
chover
to rain
levar
to take (somewhere)
por isso
therefore / so (for that reason)
ser capaz de
to be capable of, to be able to
a gabardina
the raincoat
Questions & Answers about É capaz de chover amanhã, por isso levo a gabardina.
Why does capaz de mean 'might' here instead of 'able to'?
While ser capaz de literally translates to 'being capable of', European Portuguese frequently uses it to express a strong probability or likelihood. In this context, É capaz de chover doesn't mean the sky has the physical ability to rain, but rather that a rain shower is highly likely to happen.
Could I just say Talvez chova instead of using É capaz de?
Yes, talvez chova also means 'maybe it will rain' and is perfectly correct. However, using ser capaz de followed by an infinitive is a very natural, everyday way to express possibility in Portugal. It is especially common in spoken language and has the added bonus of letting you use the infinitive instead of conjugating a verb in the subjunctive mood!
Why is the present tense levo used if the action is happening amanhã (tomorrow)?
In Portuguese, the present tense is often used to talk about future actions that are certain or already planned. Since the speaker has made a firm decision to take the coat based on the weather forecast, using the present tense levo sounds immediate and natural, often more so than the actual future tense levarei or vou levar.
Is gabardina the only word used for a raincoat in Portugal?
It is a very common one, but you will also hear impermeável. Gabardina usually refers to a classic, longer raincoat, much like a trench coat. An impermeável translates literally to 'waterproof' and serves as a broader term for any waterproof jacket or windbreaker.
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