Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| possibilità | /pos.si.bi.liˈta/ | feminine |
| opportunità | /op.por.tu.niˈta/ | feminine |
| occasione | /ok.kaˈzjo.ne/ | feminine |
| chance | /ˈʃans/ | feminine |
All the Italian terms for 'chance' are feminine nouns. Depending on your context, you might choose a word that emphasizes an abstract potential, a specific timely moment or a modern informal tone.
Which one should you use?
possibilità is used when you are referring to the abstract potential for something to happen or the existence of a possibility. occasione is used when referring to a specific, often timely, moment or event that provides an opportunity.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
possibilità is used in formal settings to express the idea of chance as a possibility. Similarly, occasione can be used in a formal way to indicate 'chance' as an opportunity. In modern or informal contexts, the English loanword chance is also used in Italian.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun opportunità remains the same in both singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
The word possibilità is pronounced /pos.si.bi.liˈta/. It has five syllables, with the stress on the fifth syllable.
Did you know?
- In Italian, the word occasione can be used to describe a 'bargain' or a 'steal' when shopping, implying the price is a rare opportunity.
- While chance is used in modern Italian, it is a loanword from French rather than a direct borrowing from English.
- The term possibilità is used in Italian to describe both the abstract 'chance' of something happening and the physical 'means' or 'resources' to do it.
Examples in context
- È la tua occasione!This is your chance!This sentence is useful for translating 'This is your chance!' using occasione.Tatoeba #3475030 by Guybrush88, translation #12599750 by Adelpa
- Ecco la mia occasione.Here's my chance.This sentence is useful for translating 'Here's my chance.' using occasione.Tatoeba #3769885 by Guybrush88, translation #3732744 by CK
- Mi dia una possibilità.Give me a chance.This sentence is useful for translating 'Give me a chance.' using possibilità.Tatoeba #2598766 by Guybrush88, translation #1841170 by CK
- Ho avuto la possibilità di incontrare il presidente.I had the chance to meet the president.
- Questa è un'ottima occasione per migliorarsi.This is a great chance to improve oneself.
- Ho avuto un'occasione fantastica per vedere il concerto dei miei artisti preferiti.I had an amazing chance to see my favorite artists' concert.
- 369 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are discussing a job opening.
- GiuliaHai visto l'annuncio per quel lavoro?Did you see the ad for that job?
- LorenzoSì, ma non credo di avere una possibilità.Yes, but I don't think I have a chance.
- GiuliaLorenzo, sei molto qualificato, prova a candidarti!Lorenzo, you are very qualified, try to apply!
- LorenzoHai ragione, vale la pena tentare.You're right, it's worth a try.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chance” translations and entries possibilità, opportunità, occasione, chance, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chance, occasione, opportunità, possibilità, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
