eventuele

Eventuele is a Dutch word that functions as both an adverb and an adjective. As an adverb, it means possibly or if necessary, used to indicate a contingency: for example, Eventueel kunnen we een andere route nemen. As an adjective, it describes something that could occur or is not certain yet, and it normally appears before a noun with a definite determiner: de eventuele kosten, een eventuele oplossing.

Etymology and relationships: Eventuele is of Dutch origin and is related to cognate forms in other Romance and Germanic languages. It shares a root with the idea of an event or eventuality, but in modern Dutch the meaning is more restricted to possibility, contingency, or condition rather than the sense of an eventual decline or outcome found in English. In practice, the adverbial use is the most common form.

Usage and nuance: Eventueel conveys a sense of planning for what might happen rather than asserting likelihood. It is frequently used in formal or administrative contexts, as well as in everyday planning. It often contrasts with woorden like mogelijk (possible) or wellicht (perhaps) by emphasizing contingency or an optional step rather than a definite probability. Examples include describing potential costs or describing actions to be taken if needed.

See also: mogelijk, indien nodig, de gebeurtenis (for related senses), eventualiteit (the noun meaning possibility or contingency). In English, the closest equivalents are possibly, potentially, or as a contingency.

Translations: possibly, potentially; a possible/contingent item (as in ‘een eventuele wijziging’).