die Chance
opportunity
A favorable occasion or possibility to achieve a particular goal or experience something positive.
EXAMPLE
Das ist deine große Chance, dich zu beweisen.
This is your big opportunity to prove yourself.
die Chance
chance / opportunity
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Meanings
die Chance
chance
The probability or prospect of success in an undertaking.
EXAMPLE
Die Chancen stehen gut, dass wir das Spiel gewinnen.
The chances are good that we will win the game.
Usage tips
Fixed preposition
When 'Chance' (chance/opportunity) is followed by a noun that describes the goal or success, the preposition 'auf' is used with the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Mit dieser Ausbildung hat sie gute Chancen auf einen besseren Job.
With this training, she has good chances of getting a better job.
Infinitive with 'zu'
'Chance' (opportunity) is very often combined with an infinitive clause with 'zu'. This structure describes what the opportunity consists of.
EXAMPLE
Er hat jetzt die Chance, seinen Traum zu verwirklichen.
He now has the opportunity to make his dream come true.
Typical verbs
When 'Chance' means an opportunity, it is often combined with active verbs such as 'nutzen' (to use), 'ergreifen' (to seize), 'bekommen' (to get), or 'verpassen' (to miss).
EXAMPLE
Das war eine einmalige Gelegenheit, und er hat die Chance sofort ergriffen.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he seized the chance immediately.
Fixed expressions
To express probability, 'Chance' (chance) is often used in the plural and in fixed expressions. Typical examples are 'die Chancen stehen gut/schlecht' (the chances are good/bad) or 'sich Chancen ausrechnen' (to think one has a chance).
EXAMPLE
Gegen diesen starken Gegner rechnen sich die Spieler nur geringe Chancen aus.
Against this strong opponent, the players think they have only slim chances.
Compare with
Chance vs Möglichkeit
possibility
Both words refer to an option to do something specific. „Möglichkeit“ neutrally describes the fact that an action is open to someone, while „Chance“ additionally emphasizes a favorable prospect of achieving a desired result. If you are talking only about what is possible, „Möglichkeit“ is suitable; when there is a positive prospect of success, „Chance“ is more appropriate.
Chance
Mit diesem Kurs habe ich eine gute Chance, die Prüfung noch zu bestehen.
With this course, I have a good chance of still passing the exam.
Möglichkeit
Mit diesem Kurs habe ich die Möglichkeit, die Prüfung noch zu bestehen.
With this course, I have the option of still passing the exam.
In real life
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