Maybe

/ˈmeɪbi/

Spanish Translation

quizás

Part of Speech

  • adverb
  • interjection

Word Forms

  • maybe
  • may be

Etymology

From 'may be', expressing possibility or uncertainty.

Del inglés 'may be', que expresa posibilidad o incertidumbre.

Meanings

adverb

Possibly; perhaps.

Posiblemente; tal vez.

Maybe I will go to the party.

Quizás vaya a la fiesta.

interjection

Used to express uncertainty or lack of commitment.

Usado para expresar incertidumbre o falta de compromiso.

"Are you coming?" "Maybe."

¿Vienes? Quizás.

Example Sentences

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

Quizás llueva mañana.

Maybe we should try a different approach.

Quizás deberíamos intentar un enfoque diferente.

Maybe she knows the answer.

Quizás ella sepa la respuesta.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Phrases

  • Maybe I will
    Quizás lo haré
  • Maybe you're right
    Quizás tengas razón
  • Maybe it's for the best
    Quizás sea lo mejor

Idioms

  • There might be something to it
    Puede que haya algo en ello
  • We'll see
    Ya veremos
  • It remains to be seen
    Queda por ver
  • Time will tell
    El tiempo dirá
  • On the cards
    Estar en las cartas

Proverbs

  • Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
    No cuentes los pollos antes de que nazcan.
  • Never say never.
    Nunca digas nunca.
  • It's not over until it's over.
    No está terminado hasta que está terminado.
  • Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
    Espera lo mejor, prepárate para lo peor.
  • Where there's a will, there's a way.
    Querer es poder.

Usage Notes

Often used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a possibility. Can also be used as a short answer.

Se usa a menudo al principio de una oración para introducir una posibilidad. También puede usarse como una respuesta corta.

Notes for Learners

  • 'Maybe' is less formal than 'perhaps'.

    'Maybe' es menos formal que 'perhaps'.

  • Be careful not to overuse 'maybe' as it can make you sound indecisive.

    Ten cuidado de no usar demasiado 'maybe', ya que puede hacer que suenes indeciso.

  • Remember the difference between 'maybe' (one word, an adverb) and 'may be' (two words, a verb phrase).

    Recuerda la diferencia entre 'maybe' (una palabra, un adverbio) y 'may be' (dos palabras, una frase verbal).

Collocations

  • Maybe later
    Quizás más tarde
  • Maybe not
    Quizás no
  • Maybe so
    Quizás sí

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'maybe' with 'may be'.

    Confundir 'maybe' con 'may be'.

  • Overusing 'maybe' and sounding indecisive.

    Usar demasiado 'maybe' y sonar indeciso.

  • Using 'maybe' in very formal contexts.

    Usar 'maybe' en contextos muy formales.

Learning Tips

  • Practice using 'maybe' in different sentence structures.

    Practica el uso de 'maybe' en diferentes estructuras de oraciones.

  • Use 'maybe' to express hesitation in your conversations.

    Usa 'maybe' para expresar vacilación en tus conversaciones.

  • Compare 'maybe' with other similar words like 'perhaps' and 'possibly'.

    Compara 'maybe' con otras palabras similares como 'perhaps' y 'possibly'.