Allfällige

Allfällige is a German-language adjective used in formal and legal contexts to mean "possible," "contingent," or "as necessary." It describes things that may arise, apply, or be required under certain conditions. In contractual or administrative language, it often introduces items that are not definite but could occur, such as costs, actions, or questions.

In practice, allfällig is placed before the noun it modifies, for example allfällige Kosten or allfällige Änderungen. The phrase is common in sentences such as allfällige Rückfragen sollten bis Freitag eingereicht werden. When used as a noun, the form can be Allfälliges (singular) or Allfällige (plural), referring to contingencies or possible matters, and in that usage it is capitalized as a noun.

Allfällige is closely related to other German expressions for possibility or conditionality, such as gegebenenfalls, eventuell, or falls erforderlich. Allfällig emphasizes contingencies that could become relevant, whereas eventuell denotes mere possibility and gegebenenfalls signals action if needed. Falls erforderlich is more prescriptive, indicating an obligation to act only under particular conditions.

Usage of Allfällige is common across German-speaking regions and is frequently found in legal drafts, official correspondence, and business notices in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. While its meaning is clear in formal texts, writers often choose more precise alternatives (for example gegebenenfalls or falls erforderlich) to avoid ambiguity in everyday language.

See also: gegebenenfalls, eventuell, falls erforderlich.