可能性 — meaning in English: possibility

kanousei · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for possibility

ピアノ

piano

可能性

kanousei

サーバント

sābanto

同僚

douryou

展示会

tenjikai

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 可能性 (kanousei) when discussing future events or potential outcomes, such as in business meetings to evaluate project risks. It's also common in casual conversations when contemplating the likelihood of various scenarios, like planning a trip or exploring new hobbies.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 予想 (yosou), which means 'expectation' or 'prediction.' While 可能性 (kanousei) emphasizes the potential or chance of something happening, 予想 (yosou) leans more towards what one expects based on current information. Use 可能性 when discussing broader or more uncertain outcomes.

Culture

The word 可能性 (kanousei) is derived from the characters 可能 (kanou), meaning 'possible,' and 性 (sei), meaning 'nature' or 'quality.' This term reflects a deeply rooted cultural appreciation for possibility and potential, often embodied in Japanese philosophy and literature, where the exploration of what might be is as valued as what is.

FAQ

Q.What does 可能性 (kanousei) mean in English?

可能性 (kanousei) translates to 'possibility' in English. It is used to express the likelihood or potential of an event occurring.

Q.How do you use 可能性 in a sentence?

You can use 可能性 in a sentence like: 'このプロジェクトには成功する可能性がある' (Kono purojekuto ni wa seikou suru kanousei ga aru), meaning 'This project has the possibility of succeeding.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 可能性?

A common mistake is confusing 可能性 (kanousei) with 確率 (kakuritsu), which means 'probability.' While 可能性 indicates a general chance of occurrence, 確率 refers to specific statistical likelihood, so it's important to use each word in the correct context.

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