potential
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potential
Expresses that something is possible or conceivable, but does not yet exist or has not yet happened. It describes an existing possibility or a hidden capacity.
Jeder Besucher der Webseite ist ein potenzieller Kunde.
Every visitor to the website is a potential customer.
'Potenziell' (potential) belongs to the word family of 'das Potenzial' (potential). If something is 'potenziell' (potential), it has 'Potenzial' (the possibility or ability) to become or do something.
Das junge Unternehmen hat großes Potenzial.
The young company has great potential.
'Potenziell' (potential/potentially) can stand before a noun as an adjective or be used as an adverb that describes a verb or another adjective. As an adverb, it remains unchanged and means something like 'möglicherweise' (possibly).
Wir haben eine Liste potenzieller Kandidaten erstellt.
We created a list of potential candidates.
As an adjective, 'potenziell' (potential) is often used to describe people or things that could take on a certain future role. Typical phrases are 'potenzieller Kunde' (potential customer), 'potenzieller Arbeitgeber' (potential employer), or 'potenzielle Gefahr' (potential danger).
Jeder Bewerber ist ein potenzieller neuer Mitarbeiter.
Every applicant is a potential new employee.
really
'wirklich' and 'potenziell' are opposites here. 'wirklich' describes something that is already real or actually exists. 'potenziell' describes something that is possible, but has not yet happened or has not yet become real. If a problem is 'wirklich', the problem already exists. If a problem is 'potenziell', it could arise, but it does not have to.
Der Fehler ist potenziell gefährlich, wenn ihn niemand rechtzeitig bemerkt.
The mistake is potentially dangerous if no one notices it in time.
Nach dem Gespräch war klar, dass die Gefahr wirklich ist.
After the conversation, it was clear that the danger is real.