zijnzal

Zijnzal is a neologism used in Dutch-language speculative fiction and philosophy to denote a state at the boundary between possibility and certainty. It is described as a moment or process in which potential realities crystallize into actual outcomes, often carrying implications for agency and fate.

The term combines Dutch roots: 'zijn' meaning 'to be' and 'zal' meaning 'shall/will', implying a future becoming. It is usually treated as a coined term rather than a word with a long-standing linguistic history.

In fiction, zijnzal may be invoked to explain sudden changes, the awakening of self-determination, or the emergence of a divergent timeline. It is sometimes framed as a philosophical principle, sometimes as a magical or technological mechanism that forces a choice, event, or transformation.

As a relatively new neologism, zijnzal appears primarily in modern Dutch speculative fiction and thought experiments. The concept invites discussion of determinism, free will, and the ethics of choice. Related concepts include potentiality, becoming, determinism, and existentialism.