Inklingo

How to Say "maybe" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “maybe” is “quizás” — use this common adverb to express general possibility or uncertainty, often interchangeable with 'quizá'. It's a safe choice for everyday conversation..

quizás🔊A2

Use this common adverb to express general possibility or uncertainty, often interchangeable with 'quizá'. It's a safe choice for everyday conversation.

{ui.learnMore}
quizá🔊A2

This is a variant of 'quizás', used interchangeably to express possibility. It's slightly more common in written Spanish but perfectly fine in speech.

{ui.learnMore}
tal vez🔊A2

This phrase expresses possibility and is very common, often functioning as a single unit. It's a good general-purpose option for 'maybe'.

{ui.learnMore}
talvez🔊A2

This is a modern, single-word spelling of 'tal vez', widely used and understood to express possibility. It's a common and convenient choice.

{ui.learnMore}
igual🔊B1

Use 'igual' to express uncertainty or possibility, especially when presenting an alternative outcome or a less likely scenario.

{ui.learnMore}
acaso🔊B1

This word expresses doubt or a slight surprise, often used in questions or to introduce a speculative possibility, akin to 'by any chance'.

{ui.learnMore}
capaz🔊B2

When used alone or with 'que', 'capaz' implies a strong possibility, often used in informal speech to suggest something might happen.

{ui.learnMore}
posiblemente🔊B2

This is a direct equivalent of 'possibly' and can be used to express a likelihood, though it's sometimes seen as more formal or less common than 'quizás' in everyday speech.

{ui.learnMore}
English → Spanish

quizás

kee-SAHS/kiˈsas/

adverbA2
Use this common adverb to express general possibility or uncertainty, often interchangeable with 'quizá'. It's a safe choice for everyday conversation.
A small figure stands at a fork in a dirt path in a brightly lit meadow, looking thoughtfully at the two diverging routes, symbolizing uncertainty or possibility.

Examples

Quizás vayamos a la playa este fin de semana.

Maybe we'll go to the beach this weekend.

Quizás vamos al cine esta noche.

Perhaps we are going to the cinema tonight.

No sé si puedo ir. Quizás mañana tenga tiempo.

I don't know if I can go. Maybe tomorrow I will have time.

Si no estudias, quizás no pases el examen.

If you don't study, perhaps you won't pass the exam.

Using the Subjunctive

When 'quizás' talks about a future possibility or something uncertain, the verb that follows often needs to be in a special form (the subjunctive) to show that doubt: 'Quizás venga mañana' (Perhaps he comes tomorrow).

Using the Indicative

If 'quizás' refers to something that is probably true or is used as a simple guess about the present, you can use the normal verb form (the indicative): 'Quizás está en casa' (Maybe he is at home).

Dropping the Accent

Mistake: “Using 'quizas' in formal writing.”

Correction: The official, standard spelling is 'quizás' (with an accent mark over the 'á'). The word 'quizas' without the accent is commonly used but is technically incorrect according to the Royal Spanish Academy.

quizá

/kee-SAH//kiˈsa/

adverbA2
This is a variant of 'quizás', used interchangeably to express possibility. It's slightly more common in written Spanish but perfectly fine in speech.
An illustration showing a single umbrella hovering between clear sunshine and an impending rain cloud, symbolizing possibility and uncertainty.

Examples

Quizá no sea la mejor idea.

Maybe it's not the best idea.

Quizá llueva mañana.

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

No ha llegado. Quizá perdió el autobús.

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

Quizá deberíamos llamarla antes de ir.

Maybe we should call her before we go.

The Verb After 'Quizá'

After 'quizá', you can use two different types of verb endings. The one you choose shows how sure you feel. Use the normal verb form (like 'viene') if you think it's likely. Use a special 'what if' form (like 'venga') if you feel very uncertain.

'Quizá' or 'Quizás'?

They mean exactly the same thing! You can use them interchangeably. Many speakers prefer to use 'quizás' when the next word starts with a vowel sound (like 'quizás ahora'), but it's not a strict rule.

Forgetting the 'What If' Verb Form

Mistake: “When expressing a lot of doubt, a learner might say: 'Quizá él tiene la respuesta.'”

Correction: To show you're really not sure, it sounds more natural to say: 'Quizá él tenga la respuesta.' This special verb form ('tenga') is called the subjunctive, and it's your go-to for expressing uncertainty.

tal vez

/tal//tal/

adverbial phraseA2
This phrase expresses possibility and is very common, often functioning as a single unit. It's a good general-purpose option for 'maybe'.
A person looking at a sky with a mix of sun and clouds, trying to decide whether it will rain or not.

Examples

Tal vez llueva más tarde, así que lleva un paraguas.

Maybe it will rain later, so bring an umbrella.

Tal vez llueva mañana.

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

No estoy seguro, tal vez vaya a la fiesta.

I'm not sure, perhaps I'll go to the party.

A Sign of Uncertainty

'Tal vez' signals that what you're saying is a possibility, not a fact. Sometimes, the verb that follows changes to a special form (called the subjunctive), but you'll be understood either way.

talvez

/tal-bes//talˈβeθ/

adverbA2
This is a modern, single-word spelling of 'tal vez', widely used and understood to express possibility. It's a common and convenient choice.
A friendly rabbit stands at a fork in the road on a grassy hill, looking undecidedly between a path leading towards a bright sun and a path leading towards a large, fluffy cloud.

Examples

Talvez no lleguemos a tiempo.

Maybe we won't arrive on time.

Talvez lleguemos tarde si no nos apuramos.

Maybe we will arrive late if we don't hurry up.

Talvez la reunión sea mañana y no hoy.

Perhaps the meeting is tomorrow and not today.

No la he visto. Talvez está ocupada en su oficina.

I haven't seen her. Maybe she is busy in her office.

Uncertainty vs. Likelihood

When 'talvez' expresses strong doubt or a future possibility, the following verb usually takes a special form (the subjunctive): 'Talvez venga mañana' (Maybe he will come tomorrow).

Using the Normal Verb Form

If you use 'talvez' but still believe the possibility is quite likely, you can use the normal verb form (the indicative): 'Talvez está en casa' (Maybe he is at home).

Mixing up the Verb Form

Mistake: “Talvez es verdad.”

Correction: Talvez sea verdad. (Using the special verb form 'sea' emphasizes that you are unsure if it is true.)

igual

/ee-GWAL//iˈɣwal/

adverbB1informal
Use 'igual' to express uncertainty or possibility, especially when presenting an alternative outcome or a less likely scenario.
A small person standing at a fork in a dirt road, looking unsure whether to go toward the sunny beach or the snowy mountain.

Examples

No tengo mucho dinero. Igual no salgo hoy.

I don't have much money. Maybe I won't go out today.

Hace frío. Igual no salimos esta noche.

It's cold. Maybe we won't go out tonight.

No me ha llamado... Igual se ha olvidado.

He hasn't called me... Perhaps he forgot.

Igual podemos ir a la playa el fin de semana.

Maybe we can go to the beach this weekend.

Easy Verb Form

Unlike quizás or tal vez, which sometimes need a special verb form (the subjunctive), igual is almost always followed by the normal, everyday verb form (the indicative). This makes it a very easy way to say 'maybe'!

Using in Formal Writing

Mistake: “Writing an academic essay and starting a sentence with 'Igual, los resultados demuestran...'”

Correction: This use of 'igual' is best for conversation. In formal writing, prefer `quizás`, `tal vez`, or `posiblemente`.

acaso

/ah-CAH-soh//aˈkaso/

adverbB1
This word expresses doubt or a slight surprise, often used in questions or to introduce a speculative possibility, akin to 'by any chance'.
A small, friendly rabbit stands at the base of a tall hill covered in fog, looking up expectantly towards the unseen summit.

Examples

¿Acaso has visto mis llaves?

Have you maybe seen my keys?

¿Acaso has olvidado mi cumpleaños?

Have you forgotten my birthday by any chance?

Acaso lleguemos tarde si no nos apuramos.

Perhaps we will arrive late if we don't hurry.

No sé si lo hizo él. ¿Acaso crees que miente?

I don't know if he did it. Do you, perhaps, think he is lying?

Acaso and the Subjunctive

When 'acaso' is used like 'maybe' or 'perhaps' and placed at the beginning of a sentence (like 'Acaso sea verdad...'), it often triggers the special verb form (subjunctive) because it expresses strong doubt.

Using 'Acaso' in Questions

When used in a question (like '¿Acaso sabes...?'), it adds a challenging, skeptical, or doubtful tone, translating roughly to 'Do you mean to suggest that...?' or 'By any chance...?'.

Confusing placement in questions

Mistake: “Acaso, ¿por qué hiciste eso?”

Correction: ¿Acaso por qué hiciste eso? ('Acaso' usually comes right before the verb or the part of the sentence being questioned.)

capaz

/ka-pas//kaˈpas/

adjectiveB2informal
When used alone or with 'que', 'capaz' implies a strong possibility, often used in informal speech to suggest something might happen.
A cheerful outdoor scene with a picnic blanket and bright sun, but a single, large, dark grey rain cloud is drifting into the frame, suggesting the possibility of rain.

Examples

Capaz que se retrasa el autobús.

Maybe the bus will be late.

Capaz que llueve más tarde.

Maybe it will rain later.

Es capaz de haberlo olvidado ya.

It's possible he's already forgotten it.

¿Vienes a la fiesta? —Capaz.

Are you coming to the party? —Maybe.

Using 'Capaz que' for 'Maybe'

In many parts of Latin America, people say 'Capaz que...' to mean 'Maybe...' or 'It's possible that...'. It's a very common and natural-sounding phrase in conversation.

Using it Alone

Mistake: “Yo capaz voy a la fiesta.”

Correction: **Capaz que** voy a la fiesta. When used to mean 'maybe' at the start of a sentence, it's almost always followed by 'que' to sound natural.

posiblemente

/po-si-ble-MEN-te//poˌsiβleˈmente/

adverbB2
This is a direct equivalent of 'possibly' and can be used to express a likelihood, though it's sometimes seen as more formal or less common than 'quizás' in everyday speech.
A small, simple figure stands on a green hill, looking down a winding dirt path that leads toward a tiny, colorful house in the distance. The house is partially obscured by a light, hopeful mist, symbolizing an uncertain but possible outcome.

Examples

Posiblemente no tengamos tiempo suficiente.

We possibly won't have enough time.

Posiblemente no tengamos suficiente tiempo para terminar el proyecto hoy.

We possibly won't have enough time to finish the project today.

Ella es posiblemente la mejor candidata para el puesto.

She is possibly the best candidate for the position.

Si llueve, posiblemente la reunión se cancele.

If it rains, the meeting will possibly be canceled.

Adverbial Suffix -mente

Like many English adverbs that end in '-ly' (e.g., 'quickLY'), 'posiblemente' is formed by adding the suffix '-mente' to the feminine form of the adjective 'posible'.

Triggering the Special Verb Form (Subjunctive)

When 'posiblemente' introduces a statement of probability about a future or uncertain event, it often requires the following verb to be in the special form (the subjunctive). Example: 'Posiblemente venga' (He possibly comes), not 'Posiblemente viene'.

Mixing Subjunctive and Indicative

Mistake: “Posiblemente *está* lloviendo mañana. (Incorrect use of the normal verb form.)”

Correction: Posiblemente *esté* lloviendo mañana. (The special verb form is needed because the statement is uncertain and refers to the future.)

Quizás vs. Tal vez

The most common confusion is between 'quizás'/'quizá' and 'tal vez'/'talvez'. While often interchangeable for general possibility, 'quizás' can carry a slightly stronger sense of doubt or uncertainty, especially in questions. 'Tal vez' is a very safe, neutral option for most situations.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.