潜在的(せんざいてき)

せんざいてき
na-adjective
potential; latent; underlying
formaldescriptive
1. potential; latent; underlying; hidden
Existing beneath the surface or not yet manifested. Describes something that is present but not currently visible or active, with the possibility of emerging.
潜在的(せんざいてき)なリスクがある。
There is a potential risk.
潜在的(せんざいてき)な需要(じゅよう)を掘(ほ)り起(お)こす。
To tap into latent demand.
This region has numerous untapped potential tourism resources lying dormant.

The na-adjective form of 潜在(せんざい) (latency). The opposite is 顕在的(けんざいてき) (manifest, apparent).

Common collocations

Usage

A formal term common in business, academic, and analytical writing. In casual speech, people would more likely say 隠(かく)れた (hidden) or まだ見(み)えていない (not yet visible).