Inklingo

How to Say "perhaps" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “perhaps” is “quizás” — use 'quizás' for a general, common way to express possibility, suitable for everyday conversation and writing..

quizás🔊A2

Use 'quizás' for a general, common way to express possibility, suitable for everyday conversation and writing.

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tal vez🔊A2

Use 'tal vez' to express possibility, often interchangeable with 'quizás' but can feel slightly more formal or literary.

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talvez🔊A2

Use 'talvez' as a single-word option for expressing possibility, often considered slightly more formal than 'quizás'.

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a lo mejorA2

Use 'a lo mejor' in informal spoken Spanish to express a likely possibility, often followed by the indicative mood.

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igual🔊B1

Use 'igual' in informal, especially Peninsular Spanish, to express a possibility, similar to 'maybe' or 'perhaps'.

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acaso🔊B1

Use 'acaso' to express possibility, often with a tone of surprise or doubt, and frequently in questions.

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posiblemente🔊B2

Use 'posiblemente' to express a possibility with a degree of doubt, often implying a lower probability than 'quizás'.

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English → Spanish

quizás

kee-SAHS/kiˈsas/

adverbA2
Use 'quizás' for a general, common way to express possibility, suitable for everyday conversation and writing.
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.

Perhaps we will 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.

tal vez

/tal//tal/

adverbial phraseA2neutral to slightly formal
Use 'tal vez' to express possibility, often interchangeable with 'quizás' but can feel slightly more formal or literary.
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.

Perhaps it will rain later, so take 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/

adverbA2neutral to slightly formal
Use 'talvez' as a single-word option for expressing possibility, often considered slightly more formal than 'quizás'.
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 tengamos tiempo suficiente para ver la película.

Perhaps we won't have enough time to see the movie.

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.)

a lo mejor

adverbial phraseA2informal
Use 'a lo mejor' in informal spoken Spanish to express a likely possibility, often followed by the indicative mood.

Examples

A lo mejor llego un poco tarde a la reunión.

Perhaps I'll arrive a little late to the meeting.

igual

/ee-GWAL//iˈɣwal/

adverbB1informal
Use 'igual' in informal, especially Peninsular Spanish, to express a possibility, similar to 'maybe' or 'perhaps'.
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

Hoy no hace mucho sol, igual no vamos a la piscina.

It's not very sunny today, perhaps we won't go to the pool.

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/

adverbB1neutral to slightly formal
Use 'acaso' to express possibility, often with a tone of surprise or doubt, and frequently in questions.
A small, friendly rabbit stands at the base of a tall hill covered in fog, looking up expectantly towards the unseen summit.

Examples

¿Acaso te has olvidado de cerrar la puerta?

Have you perhaps forgotten to close the door?

¿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.)

posiblemente

/po-si-ble-MEN-te//poˌsiβleˈmente/

adverbB2neutral to formal
Use 'posiblemente' to express a possibility with a degree of doubt, often implying a lower probability than 'quizás'.
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 lleguen a tiempo para el concierto.

Possibly, they will not arrive in time for the concert.

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 Mood Rule

The most common confusion is when to use the subjunctive or indicative mood after 'quizás' and 'tal vez'. While both can often be followed by either, using the subjunctive often implies more doubt, while the indicative suggests a stronger possibility. For simplicity, especially at A2, using 'quizás' or 'tal vez' followed by the indicative is a safe bet in most affirmative statements.

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