Breakdown of Tengo una corazonada: capaz que empiece a llover.
tener
to have
un
a, an (masculine)
a
to
llover
to rain
empezar
to start / to begin
capaz que
maybe / perhaps
la corazonada
the hunch / the gut feeling
Questions & Answers about Tengo una corazonada: capaz que empiece a llover.
Why is empiece in the subjunctive here?
The phrase capaz que is used in Latin America to mean "maybe" or "it is possible that." Because it expresses doubt or an uncertain future event, it triggers the subjunctive mood here, which is why we use empiece instead of the indicative empieza.
Can I ever use the indicative after capaz que?
Yes! While the subjunctive is very common to emphasize doubt, you will also hear native speakers use the indicative (like capaz que empieza a llover) if they feel more certain or are making a stronger prediction. Here, since the speaker just has a hunch (una corazonada), the subjunctive fits the uncertain vibe perfectly.
How is capaz que different from capaz de?
Capaz que is an informal phrase meaning "maybe" or "might," and it is followed by a conjugated verb. On the other hand, capaz de means "capable of" and is followed by an infinitive, as in soy capaz de hacerlo (I am capable of doing it).
What is the literal meaning of corazonada?
Why is there an a between empiece and llover?
The verb empezar requires the preposition a when it is followed by an infinitive to express that something "starts to" happen. This is a set structure (empezar a + infinitive) you will use every time you talk about beginning an action.
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