Eventualmente

Eventualmente is an Italian adverb used to express possibility, contingency, or a plan conditioned on future developments. It is commonly translated as maybe or possibly, and in certain contexts as in the event of or if necessary. In English, it is not a direct equivalent of the English eventually meaning “in the end,” which Italian usually renders with finalmente or alla fine.

Etymology: The word is built from the noun evento (event) and the adjective eventuale (possible, contingent), with the adverbial suffix -mente. The combination yields a term that signals a potential rather than a definite outcome.

Usage: Eventualmente is frequent in spoken Italian and tends to precede a statement, proposal, or plan, softening it or indicating a conditional option. Examples: "Eventualmente ci vediamo domani" meaning "Perhaps we will see each other tomorrow"; "Eventualmente, se serve, possiamo rimandare l'incontro" meaning "If needed, we can postpone the meeting."

Register and nuances: It leans toward neutral to informal; in more formal contexts, speakers may prefer "forse," "probabilmente," or "in caso di" depending on the nuance. Learners should note its status as a false friend with English, since the direct translation "eventually" is rarely used in Italian to denote time.