What if you had a choice? What if something might happen, or could happen, or should happen? The word possibility comes up whenever you think about the future, express options, or offer hope — and knowing how to say possibility in German is essential for making plans, discussing problems, and dreaming big.

The word is die Möglichkeit. It’s feminine, and the plural is die Möglichkeiten. If gender is still confusing, my gender video lesson will help you get clarity, fast.

Möglichkeit is one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German — a powerful word used in everything from job interviews to casual conversations.

Here’s how Möglichkeit appears in the four cases:

Nominative:
Die Möglichkeit besteht.
The possibility exists.

Accusative:
Ich sehe eine Möglichkeit.
I see a possibility.

Dative:
Mit dieser Möglichkeit kann man viel erreichen.
With this possibility, you can achieve a lot.

Genitive:
Die Vorteile der Möglichkeit sind klar.
The advantages of the possibility are clear.

Möglichkeit is a highly flexible word used to talk about options, capabilities, and chances.

Common phrases include:

• die beste Möglichkeit – the best possibility

• es gibt die Möglichkeit, ... – there’s the possibility of...

• alle Möglichkeiten offen halten – to keep all options open

• eine neue Möglichkeit entdecken – to discover a new option

• Möglichkeiten schaffen / nutzen / prüfen – create / use / examine possibilities

Verbs: sehen (to see), haben (to have), geben (to give), bieten (to offer), nutzen (to make use of)
Adjectives: realistisch, theoretisch, technisch, praktisch, unzählige (countless)

This word is great for goal-setting, expressing openness, and learning how to say “could,” “might,” or “maybe” with confidence.

Beginner dialogue with the word Möglichkeit:

A: Gibt es eine Möglichkeit, früher zu kommen?
B: Ich frage den Chef mal.
A: Is there a possibility of coming earlier?
B: I’ll ask the boss.

Now it’s your turn. Think of your answer and say it aloud using Möglichkeit or Möglichkeiten.

“Welche Möglichkeit würdest du gern in deinem Leben haben — und warum?”
What possibility would you like to have in your life — and why?

Speak it out loud. Thinking in German is good. Speaking in German is better.

Duden entry for “Möglichkeit”

German Word of the Day
Now you know how to say possibility in German — and how die Möglichkeit lets you explore ideas, choices, and hope in your own words.

Download the free illustrated PDF of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German to keep building your vocabulary with real-world power.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?
Check out Mitternacht — and talk about time, silence, and change.
Or revisit Mund — and learn how to speak, smile, and express emotions.