How to Say "potentially" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “potentially” is “potencialmente” — B2 level.
Examples
Este nuevo medicamento es potencialmente curativo.
This new medicine is potentially curative.
La tormenta es potencialmente peligrosa para los barcos pequeños.
The storm is potentially dangerous for small boats.
Estamos ante un mercado potencialmente lucrativo.
We are looking at a potentially lucrative market.
The '-mente' Ending
Just like '-ly' in English, adding '-mente' to the end of a Spanish adjective turns it into a word that describes how or to what extent something is. Since it's an adverb, it never changes its ending to match masculine or feminine words.
Where to place it
You usually place 'potencialmente' right before the adjective it is describing, such as saying 'potencialmente útil' (potentially useful).
The 'Eventually' Trap
Mistake: “Using 'eventualmente' to mean 'potentially'.”
Correction: In Spanish, 'eventualmente' means 'by chance' or 'occasionally.' If you want to say something has the *capacity* to become something else, always use 'potencialmente'.
Related Translations
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