O tempo é capaz de piorar e estragar a escapadinha.
The weather might get worse and ruin the getaway.
Breakdown of O tempo é capaz de piorar e estragar a escapadinha.
e
and
o tempo
the time
ser capaz de
to be capable of, to be able to
estragar
to ruin (to spoil, damage)
piorar
to get worse
a escapadinha
the getaway
Questions & Answers about O tempo é capaz de piorar e estragar a escapadinha.
Wait, doesn't ser capaz de usually mean "to be capable of" or "to be able to"? Why is it translated as "might" here?
You're right that it literally means "capable of" (ability). However, in European Portuguese, ser capaz de + infinitive is very frequently used to express probability or likelihood, meaning "might", "may", or "is likely to". When the subject is inanimate, like o tempo (the weather), it's clearly about probability, not physical ability!
Could I say ficar pior instead of piorar for "get worse"?
Why isn't there another de before estragar? Shouldn't it be ...capaz de piorar e de estragar...?
When two infinitives are linked by e (and) and depend on the same preposition, you usually drop the second preposition for a smoother flow. The de here applies to both verbs as a single group: [piorar e estragar].
I know escapada means escape, but is escapadinha a specific word or just a cute way of saying it?
It's a highly common, specific term in Portugal for a weekend getaway or a short holiday. While the diminutive -inha does add a casual, cozy feel, escapadinha is the standard way locals refer to a quick trip out of town.
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