How to say "potential" in Japanese

• 可能かのうJLPT N3approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'potential' as 'possible, feasible' — what can be done or realized. It is really about possibility, not latent ability, so it is seldom the word for someone's hidden promise.
  男の子おとこのこへのしつけは可能かのうである。↗

  Boys can be trained to behave.
• ポテンシャルCommon
  nounThe loanword for potential as latent capacity or ability: how much a person, team, or thing could develop or achieve. Typical in evaluations of talent, performance, or growth prospects.
• 将来的しょうらいてきCommon
  na-adjectiveTakes 'potential' as 'prospective': viewed in terms of the future, something that may materialize later. Typical in business or planning talk about future demand, growth, or development.
• 仮想かそうCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveAs 'potential' it is essentially confined to the fixed expression for a potential or hypothetical enemy; elsewhere it means 'virtual' or 'supposed'. Not a general word for latent ability or promise.
  小中学生しょうちゅうがくせいなんて、まだまだ善悪ぜんあくの見分みわけも、現実げんじつと仮想かそうの見分みわけもつかない。↗

  Elementary and primary school children don't yet know good from evil or reality from fiction.
• 可能性かのうせいCommon
  nounThe noun for potential as possibility or promise: that something or someone could develop or succeed. Typical in saying that a person, plan, or field has potential or shows promise.

Use 「ポテンシャル」 or 可能性 for latent ability or promise, 可能 for what is possible or feasible, 将来的 for potential seen as future prospects, and 仮想 only in the fixed sense of a potential enemy.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 可能かのうpossible
• ポテンシャルpotential
• 将来的しょうらいてきfuture
• 仮想かそうimagination
• 潜在能力せんざいのうりょくpotential
• 伸びしろのびしろroom for growth
• 発展性はってんせいpossibility
• 潜在的せんざいてきlatent
• 潜勢力せんせいりょくlatent energy
• 可能性かのうせいpotential