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quizá

kee-SAHkiˈsa

“quizá” means “maybe” in Spanish (Expressing possibility).

maybe, perhaps

Also: possibly
An illustration showing a single umbrella hovering between clear sunshine and an impending rain cloud, symbolizing possibility and uncertainty.

📝 In Action

Quizá llueva mañana.

A2

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

No ha llegado. Quizá perdió el autobús.

B1

He hasn't arrived. Perhaps he missed the bus.

Quizá deberíamos llamarla antes de ir.

B1

Maybe we should call her before we go.

No estoy seguro, quizá venga más tarde.

B2

I'm not sure, maybe he'll come later.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • quizás (maybe, perhaps)
  • tal vez (maybe, perhaps)
  • a lo mejor (maybe, probably)
  • posiblemente (possibly)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • quizá sí, quizá no – maybe yes, maybe no

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "quizá" in Spanish:

maybe→perhaps→possibly→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: quizá

Question 1 of 1

Which of these sentences expresses the MOST doubt or uncertainty?

📚 More Resources

🎵 Rhymes▼
alláestásofá
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Old Spanish phrase 'qui sabe', which literally meant 'who knows?'. Over time, it blended together to become the single word 'quizá'.

First recorded: Around the 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: quiçáGalician: quizais

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real difference between 'quizá' and 'quizás'?

There is no difference in meaning. They both mean 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. Some people prefer using 'quizás' before a word that starts with a vowel, like 'quizás es...', because it sounds smoother, but it's not a required rule. You can use either one.

Why does the verb change sometimes after 'quizá' (e.g., 'viene' vs. 'venga')?

It's a way to show how certain you are. If you use the normal verb form ('viene'), you're saying 'maybe he's coming' but you think it's pretty possible. If you use the special form ('venga'), you're signaling more doubt, like 'he *might* come, but I'm really not sure'.

Is 'tal vez' the same as 'quizá'?

Yes, they are very close synonyms and can be used in the same way. Just like 'quizá', 'tal vez' can be followed by either the normal verb form or the special 'what if' (subjunctive) form to show your level of certainty.