Waarskynlik

Waarskynlik is an Afrikaans adjective meaning likely or probable. It describes the probability or likelihood of a claim, event, or outcome. In everyday language it is used to express degrees of belief, as in Dit is waarskynlik dat die weer verander. It can also introduce subordinate clauses, for example, Dit is waarskynlik dat ons vroeg gaan eet.

Etymology and cognates: Waarskynlik is cognate with Dutch waarschijnlijk and shares the same roots, combining elements that convey truth and appearance. The general sense is “the appearance of truth,” i.e., something that is likely to be true. The related noun form, waarskynlikheid, denotes probability or the likelihood of an event. Opposites include onwaarskynlik, meaning unlikely or improbable.

Usage and forms: Waarskynlik functions as a predicative describing a subject or situation, as in Die uitkoms is waarskynlik. It can also occur in constructions with dat, such as Dit is waarskynlik dat die projek slaag. In formal writing, waarskynlikheid is used to refer to the quantitative notion of probability, often alongside numerical data.

Relation to probability: In statistics and risk assessment, waarskynlikheid is the standard term for probability, and waarskynklik serves to express qualitative judgments about likelihood. The concept is used across journalism, science, and everyday planning to indicate how probable a given outcome is.

See also: Verwysing terms related to probability in Afrikaans include waarskynlikheid (probability), onwaarskynlik (unlikely), and verwagting (expectation). The word remains widely used in South Africa and Namibia, reflecting standard Afrikaans vocabulary for expressing probability in both casual and formal contexts.