可能性がある・
可能性 is "possibility". 可能性がある says that something may happen or may be so, good or bad alike. 可能性が高い is "likely", and 可能性が低い is "unlikely".
may
Trains may be delayed because of heavy rain.
likely
At this rate, you are likely to pass the exam.
unlikely
Even if we leave now, we are unlikely to make it.
After a verb
Plain form + 可能性がある
遅れる可能性がある. After a past form it is "may have": 忘れた可能性がある. Polite: 可能性があります.
After a noun
Noun + の + 可能性がある
雨の可能性がある, "there is a chance of rain".
| Form | What it says |
|---|---|
| 可能性がある | "There is a possibility", "may" |
| 可能性もある | "May also", "may even": one more way things could go |
| 可能性が高い | "Likely" |
| 可能性が低い | "Unlikely" |
| 可能性はない | "There is no chance" |
は often replaces が when a possibility is played down or ruled out, or has just been mentioned: 可能性は低い, その可能性はある.
In use
There may be thunderstorms along the mountains from the afternoon into the night.
Depending on how hard you work, you may even reach your goal in six months.
Good news, with も: "may even".
I most likely dropped my wallet on the train.
In conversation
It is commonest in forecasts, the news, reports and meetings. People say it too, when they are weighing something up: その可能性はあるね is "that's possible".
Tanaka's late. I wonder if he got lost.
That's possible.
可能性がある or かもしれない?
かもしれない is your own guess, and it is what people mostly say. 可能性がある sounds worked out from the facts, and it can say how likely, which かもしれない can't.
I'm sorry, there is a chance I will be a little late.
A message at work: it reads as an estimate.
"It's possible that…" is not 可能だ
可能だ says that something can be done: 変更は可能です, "changes can be made". That something may be so is 可能性がある.
Not said: 雨が
(It is possible that it will rain.)
雨が降る可能性があります.
Close neighbours
おそれがあるN2
"There is a risk that": made the same way, for forecasts and official notices, and only for something unwanted.
Heavy snow may delay deliveries.
かねないN2
"Might well": your own warning that something bad could follow.
Speeding could well lead to a serious accident.
得る・得ないN2
Whether a thing can happen at all. People say ありえる, "it could happen".
Could a coincidence like that really happen?
Check yourself
1What does this mean?
今日中に
Choose an answer to see why.
2"It's possible that the meeting has been called off."
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
Since it was shipped today, there is a chance it will arrive tomorrow.
There is a report that this medicine may cause drowsiness.
Depending on how the negotiations turn out, the release may be postponed.
Heavy snow has continued since last night. Therefore, the afternoon flights are likely to be canceled too.
Since the parts used in the two machines follow the same standard, the machines were probably manufactured at the same factory.
Judging from the test results that infection was likely, the doctor recommended further tests to the patient.
It seems unlikely that the same problem will occur again.
This proposal is unlikely to get through, but I'll at least try explaining it.
The cause could not be pinned down, but the likely factors were narrowed down.
Before a noun: 可能性の高い, "likely".