Translation guide
The concept of potentiality in English refers to the possibility or capability for something to happen or exist. In Japanese, this is expressed through various grammatical patterns and vocabulary, depending on whether you're talking about general possibility, inherent capacity, or hypothetical situations.
Expressing that something is possible or that someone/something has the ability to do something.
The most common way to express potentiality. Verbs conjugate into a potential form meaning 'can do V'. For ru-verbs, replace る with られる; for u-verbs, change the final vowel to its え equivalent and add る. Note: する becomes できる, and くる becomes こられる.
私は日本語が話せる。
I can speak Japanese.
This fish can be eaten raw.
A more formal or written way to express potential. It uses the dictionary form of the verb plus ことができる. Often used when the potential form might be ambiguous or for emphasis.
彼は泳ぐことができる。
He can swim.
この機械は大量生産することができる。
This machine can mass-produce.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'possible' or 'feasible'. Often used in formal contexts or compounds like 可能だ (it is possible) or 可能にする (make possible).
Describing the latent ability or inherent quality of something to become or do something.
Literally 'latent ability', this is the most direct translation for 'potential' as a noun referring to someone's untapped capabilities.
彼女には大きな潜在能力がある。
She has great potential.
Means 'possibility' or 'potential'. It can refer to the chance that something will happen or the potential for something to exist. Often used in phrases like 可能性がある (there is a possibility/potential).
成功の可能性は低い。
The potential for success is low.
彼にはリーダーになる可能性がある。
He has the potential to become a leader.
A loanword from English, used in business or self-development contexts to mean 'potential', often with a nuance of future promise.
Expressing what could happen under certain conditions, or a hypothetical capability.
Using conditional forms (ば or たら) with potential expressions to indicate that something becomes possible if a condition is met.
お金があれば、旅行できる。
If I had money, I could travel.
時間があったら、もっと勉強できるのに。
If I had time, I could study more.
Expresses uncertainty about potential: 'might be able to'. It softens the assertion of ability.
彼は来られるかもしれない。
He might be able to come.
Referring to the philosophical concept of potentiality as opposed to actuality, or the inherent possibilities within a situation.
A technical term used in philosophy, translating Aristotle's 'potentiality' (dynamis). Rare outside academic contexts.
アリストテレスの潜勢と現実態の概念。
Aristotle's concepts of potentiality and actuality.
Another philosophical term for 'potentiality', often contrasted with 現実態 (actuality).
可能態から現実態への移行。
The transition from potentiality to actuality.
The potential form of verbs is more common in everyday speech. ことができる is slightly more formal and often used in writing or when the potential form might be confused with the passive (for ru-verbs). For example, 食べられる can mean 'can eat' or 'is eaten', so 食べることができる clarifies the potential meaning.
The English word 'potentiality' is rarely used in everyday conversation. In most cases, you should use 可能性 or 潜在能力, or rephrase with a potential verb form. Using a direct translation like 潜勢 outside of philosophy will sound unnatural.
この市場はまだポテンシャルが大きい。
This market still has great potential.