era capaz de

was able to

→ ser

phrase Rare #21,313

was able to Used to describe someone’s ability to do something in the past. It can also mean “was capable of”; with não, it means “was not able to” or “could not.”

PO: Ela era capaz de resolver o problema sozinha.

EN: She was able to solve the problem by herself.

Tom era capaz de proteger Mary.

Tom was able to protect Mary.

Eu não era capaz de conseguir abrir a porta.

I couldn't open the door.

O pai dela era capaz de atravessar o rio nadando.

Her father was able to swim across the river.

Basicamente, ela não era capaz de falar inglês na vida real.

Basically, she wasn't able to speak English in real life.

Ele não era capaz de falar inglês na vida real.

He was unable to speak English in real life.

Era capaz de ficar aqui para sempre, que o mar não iria me dizer nada.

I could stay here forever; the sea wouldn’t say a thing to me.

— A Lenda do Pianista do Mar (1998)

Eu era capaz de observar o fluxo de sangue e oxigênio.

I was able to observe the flow of blood and oxygen.

— Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Castelo Infinito (2025)

Eu não era capaz de descobrir o que fazer.

I couldn't figure out what to do.

Ela não era capaz de falar o inglês da vida real.

She wasn’t able to speak real-life English.

Ele era capaz de ler o livro.

He was able to read the book.

Era capaz de ficar observando-o durante o dia todo..

I could spend all day watching him.

— A Lenda do Pianista do Mar (1998)

Eu não era capaz de falar Francês quando cheguei lá.

I couldn't speak French when I got there.

Tom era capaz de abrir a porta.

Tom was able to open the door.

Eu não era capaz de comprar bilhetes, então não pudemos ir ao concerto.

I couldn't buy tickets, so we couldn't go to the concert.

Eu não sabia que Tom era capaz de fazer isso.

I didn't know Tom was capable of doing that.