Chancen

Chancen is the plural form of the German noun Chance, a term widely used to refer to opportunities, possibilities, or prospects. In everyday language it can express both a favorable likelihood and a favorable opening to act, depending on context. The plural form emphasizes multiple opportunities or varying prospects.

Etymology and usage notes: Chance originates from the French word chance, meaning fortune or luck, and entered German through early modern contact with French. In German, Chancen can denote both chance as luck and as a practical opening or possibility. The nuance often depends on related words: Chancen im Sinne von Gelegenheiten (opportunities) versus Chance im Sinne von Wahrscheinlichkeit (probability). In mathematics or statistics, the more precise term for probability is Wahrscheinlichkeit, while Chance remains common in colloquial speech.

Nuance and examples: In everyday speech, one speaks of “eine gute Chance” or “Chancen nutzen” to indicate seizing a favorable opportunity. Examples include “Die Chancen auf eine Anstellung steigen,” or “Er hat seine Chance verpasst.” The plural is common when discussing multiple prospects, such as “Chancen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt.” In contrast, “Gelegenheit” tends to refer to a concrete, timely opportunity, e.g., “eine Gelegenheit, die ich beim Schoppegang verpasst habe.”

Sozial- und gesellschaftliche Bedeutung: In Bildung, Arbeit und Politik wird der Begriff in Form von Chancengleichheit verwendet, also dem Grundsatz, dass jeder Mensch faire Möglichkeiten haben sollte. Dabei wird oft zwischen individuellen Chancen und strukturellen Bedingungen unterschieden.

Siehe auch: Chance, Chancengleichheit, Wahrscheinlichkeit.