machbar

Machbar is a German adjective meaning feasible or doable. It is used to describe tasks, plans, or solutions that can realistically be carried out given current constraints such as time, budget, and resources. In everyday language as well as in engineering, project management, and policy discussions, something described as machbar is considered within reach, even if it requires effort or adjustments.

Origin and related terms: machbar derives from machen (to make) with the suffix -bar, which marks capability. The construction is common in German to form adjectives that indicate whether something can be performed, e.g., trinkbar, essbar, erreichbar. The noun form machbarkeit denotes feasibility; a machbarkeitsstudie is a feasibility study intended to assess whether a plan is machbar.

Usage and nuance: machbar conveys practical feasibility rather than mere possibility. It can be used about technical projects, business strategies, or policy proposals. Notions like unmachbar (not feasible) or realisierbar also exist, with varying emphasis. In corporate contexts, eine machbare Lösung or machbare Ziele emphasize achievability within constraints.

Examples: Es ist machbar, das System innerhalb von zwei Wochen zu aktualisieren. Die Kosten sind hoch, aber die Umsetzung ist machbar. Eine machbare Lösung berücksichtigt Risiko, Zeitrahmen und Ressourcen.

Note: While similar to realistisch, machbar focuses on feasibility rather than desirability. The term remains common in German-language discourse about planning and feasibility assessments.