1. 潜在的；可能的
    You use potential to say that someone or something is capable of developing into the particular kind of person or thing mentioned.

    e.g. The firm has identified 60 potential customers at home and abroad...
           该公司已在国内外找到60个潜在客户。
    e.g. ...potential party members...
           有可能发展成党员的人

2. 潜力；潜质
    If you say that someone or something has potential, you mean that they have the necessary abilities or qualities to become successful or useful in the future.

    e.g. The boy has great potential...
           这个男孩非常有潜质。
    e.g. The school strives to treat pupils as individuals and to help each one to achieve their full potential...
           学校力求对每一个学生因材施教，帮助他们充分发挥其潜力。

3. 可能性；潜在性
    If you say that someone or something has potential for doing a particular thing, you mean that it is possible they may do it. If there is the potential for something, it may happen.

    e.g. John seemed as horrified as I about his potential for violence...
           约翰似乎和我一样害怕他自己会使用暴力。
    e.g. The meeting has the potential to be a watershed event...
           这次会议有可能成为具有转折性的事件。