at most / possibly
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at most
Expresses an upper limit or a maximum possibility; in the sense of 'at most' or 'at best'.
Wir können allenfalls mit einer kleinen Entschädigung rechnen, mehr wird es nicht geben.
We can at most expect a small compensation; there won't be anything more.
possibly
An elevated and less common way of expressing 'perhaps' or 'possibly'.
Allenfalls könnte man argumentieren, dass die Studie methodische Schwächen aufweist.
One could possibly argue that the study has methodological weaknesses.
The word is made up of 'allen' and 'Falls' (genitive of 'Fall'). Literally, it means 'in all cases', but it has developed the meaning 'at best' or 'at most'.
Die Reparatur wird allenfalls 100 Euro kosten.
The repair will cost at most 100 euros.
'Allenfalls' can stand at the beginning of a sentence (position 1), in which case the verb follows directly after it. It can also stand in the middle of the sentence, usually before the part that it limits.
Allenfalls könnten wir morgen anrufen.
At most, we could call tomorrow.
In the meaning of 'perhaps' or 'possibly', 'allenfalls' belongs to elevated written language. In normal conversation, it is rarely used in this sense.
Man könnte allenfalls einwenden, dass die Zeit zu knapp war.
One could possibly object that there was too little time.
maybe
„Vielleicht“ neutrally indicates an uncertain possibility. „Allenfalls“, on the other hand, usually limits this possibility and often indicates an upper limit meaning “at most.” So „vielleicht“ fits an open guess, while „allenfalls“ indicates a limited maximum.
Die Besprechung dauert allenfalls eine Stunde.
The meeting will last an hour at most.
Die Besprechung dauert vielleicht eine Stunde.
The meeting might last an hour.
