This is the 8048th most frequent Dutch word.
fataal
Fatal; causing death or disaster.
The word 'fataal' is used here to mean 'fatal'—something resulting in death.
Het ongeval was fataal voor de bestuurder.
The accident was fatal for the driver.
The word 'fataal' is used figuratively in this sentence to describe a critical or disastrous mistake that caused failure.
Een fatale fout in het plan leidde tot het falen van het project.
A fatal error in the plan led to the failure of the project.
The word 'fataal' is metaphorically describing excessive optimism as something dangerous or potentially harmful.