Breakdown of Capaz que empiecen a confiar en su instinto.
en
in / on / at
su
his/her/its/their/your (formal)
a
to
empezar
to start / to begin
Questions & Answers about Capaz que empiecen a confiar en su instinto.
Why is 'empiecen' in the subjunctive here instead of the indicative?
The phrase capaz que is used in Latin America to mean "maybe" or "it's possible that." Because it expresses doubt or uncertainty, it often triggers the subjunctive (empiecen). You might also hear it used with the indicative (empiezan) in casual speech if the speaker feels more confident that the action will happen, but the subjunctive is the standard way to emphasize that it's just a possibility.
Wait, doesn't 'capaz' mean 'capable'? How does it mean 'might' here?
You are right! As a standard adjective, capaz means "capable" (e.g., ella es capaz, "she is capable"). However, in many parts of Latin America, the fixed phrase capaz que (or sometimes just capaz on its own) is used as an expression meaning "maybe," "perhaps," or "might." It's a very common, colloquial alternative to tal vez or quizás.
Why do we need the 'a' between 'empiecen' and 'confiar'?
The verb empezar (to start or begin) is one of several Spanish verbs that always require the preposition a when they are followed by an infinitive. So, "to start trusting" must be empezar a confiar, not just empezar confiar.
Why is it 'confiar en' instead of just 'confiar' their instinct?