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"Potencial" is an adjective which is often translated as "potential", and "capacidad" is a noun which is often translated as "capacity". Learn more about the difference between "potencial" and "capacidad" below.
potencial, el potencial(
poh
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tehn
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syahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (possible)
a. potential
La agencia está buscando traductores para un potencial proyecto de localización en la India.The agency is seeking translators for a potential localization project in India.
2. (grammar)
a. conditional
"Si viviera en Madrid, te visitaría" es una oración de sentido potencial."If I lived in Madrid I would go and visit you" is a conditional sentence.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. potential
El cazatalentos cree que tengo potencial para convertirme en un gran artista.The headhunter thinks I have the potential to become a great artist.
4. (strength)
a. power
Groenlandia tendrá un gran potencial económico en el futuro dada su situación geográfica.Greenland will have great economic power in the future given its geographical location.
5. (grammar)
a. conditional
El profesor nos dijo que el potencial suele aparecer después de la conjunción "si".The teacher told us that the conditional usually appears after the conjunction "if."
a. potential
Este circuito tiene un potencial de 300 voltios.This circuit has a potential of 300 volts.
la capacidad(
kah
-
pah
-
see
-
dahd
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. capacity
Este avión tiene capacidad para 150 pasajeros.This airplane has capacity for 150 passengers.
2. (aptitude)
a. ability
Nadie pone en duda tu capacidad para la biología, pero aun así tienes que entregar la tarea.Nobody questions your ability in biology, but you still have to turn in your homework.
