potential
das Potenzial, die Potenziale
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potential
The totality of still-unused possibilities, abilities, or development opportunities present in a person or thing.
Die junge Sportlerin hat enormes Potenzial, eine Weltmeisterin zu werden.
The young athlete has enormous potential to become a world champion.
potential
In physics, a scalar quantity that describes the ability of a force field to do work on a test body.
Um die Spannung zu berechnen, muss man die Differenz des elektrischen Potenzials zwischen zwei Punkten kennen.
To calculate the voltage, you need to know the difference in electric potential between two points.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Potenziale |
| genitive | des Potenzials |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Potenzial | die Potenziale |
| accusative | das Potenzial | die Potenziale |
| dative | dem Potenzial | den Potenzialen |
| genitive | des Potenzials | der Potenziale |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
You can recognize the meaning from the topic. In everyday life, sports, or work, it is about abilities and development opportunities. In a scientific text, especially in physics, the physical quantity is meant.
Dieses junge Unternehmen hat großes wirtschaftliches Potenzial.
This young company has great economic potential.
In the general meaning, 'Potenzial' (potential) is often combined with verbs like 'haben' (to have), 'zeigen' (to show), 'nutzen' (to use), or 'ausschöpfen' (to fully exploit). Typical adjectives are 'großes' (great), 'enormes' (enormous), or 'ungenutztes' (unused) potential.
Sie sollten Ihr volles Potenzial ausschöpfen.
You should fulfill your full potential.
The ability or possibility is often expressed through an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to). For example, you say that someone 'hat das Potenzial, etwas zu werden/tun' (has the potential to become/do something).
Das Team hat das Potenzial, die Meisterschaft zu gewinnen.
The team has the potential to win the championship.
The physical meaning of 'Potenzial' (potential) is purely technical language. It is used almost exclusively in scientific or technical contexts.
In der Physik beschreibt das Potenzial die Energie eines Feldes pro Ladungseinheit.
In physics, potential describes the energy of a field per unit of charge.
energy
In physics, Potenzial describes the ability of a force field at a particular location. Energie, by contrast, belongs to a body or system and may also depend on its properties. Potenzial is therefore appropriate for the field at a location, while Energie is used for the capability of a specific system.
Das elektrische Potenzial an dieser Position beschreibt das Feld unabhängig von der Größe der Ladung.
The electric potential at this position describes the field independently of the charge's magnitude.
Die potenzielle Energie der Ladung hängt von ihrer Größe und ihrer Position im elektrischen Feld ab.
The charge's potential energy depends on its magnitude and its position in the electric field.
