Inklingo

How to Say "possibly" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “possibly” is “quizás” — use 'quizás' for a general suggestion or possibility, often interchangeable with 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. It's a very common and versatile option.

quizás🔊A2

Use 'quizás' for a general suggestion or possibility, often interchangeable with 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. It's a very common and versatile option.

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quizá🔊A2

This is a slightly more formal, often written, variant of 'quizás', used to suggest something could happen or express uncertainty.

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talvez🔊A2

Use 'talvez' to indicate a potential outcome or possibility, similar to 'perhaps' or 'maybe', often implying a slight uncertainty about the future.

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posiblemente🔊B2

Choose 'posiblemente' when you want to express a likelihood or probability, closer to the English 'possibly' in a context where something is likely to happen or be true.

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acaso🔊B1

Use 'acaso' primarily in questions to imply a slight doubt or to ask 'by any chance', often suggesting a possibility that the speaker hadn't considered.

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potencialmente🔊B2

Use 'potencialmente' to describe something that has the theoretical capacity or possibility to be or do something, emphasizing future potential rather than current likelihood.

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English → Spanish

quizás

kee-SAHSkiˈsas

adverbA2
Use 'quizás' for a general suggestion or possibility, often interchangeable with 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. It's a very common and versatile option.
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 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.

quizá

kee-SAHkiˈsa

adverbA2
This is a slightly more formal, often written, variant of 'quizás', used to suggest something could happen or express uncertainty.
An illustration showing a single umbrella hovering between clear sunshine and an impending rain cloud, symbolizing possibility and uncertainty.

Examples

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.

talvez

tal-bestalˈβeθ

adverbA2
Use 'talvez' to indicate a potential outcome or possibility, similar to 'perhaps' or 'maybe', often implying a slight uncertainty about the future.
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 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.)

posiblemente

po-si-ble-MEN-tepoˌsiβleˈmente

adverbB2
Choose 'posiblemente' when you want to express a likelihood or probability, closer to the English 'possibly' in a context where something is likely to happen or be true.
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 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.)

acaso

ah-CAH-sohaˈkaso

adverbB1
Use 'acaso' primarily in questions to imply a slight doubt or to ask 'by any chance', often suggesting a possibility that the speaker hadn't considered.
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 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.)

potencialmente

po-ten-syahl-MEN-tehpotenθjalˈmente

adverbB2
Use 'potencialmente' to describe something that has the theoretical capacity or possibility to be or do something, emphasizing future potential rather than current likelihood.
A small green sapling growing out of the soil, with a faint, large shadow of a tall oak tree behind it.

Examples

Este nuevo medicamento es potencialmente curativo.

This new medicine is potentially curative.

La tormenta es potencialmente peligrosa para los barcos pequeños.

The storm is potentially dangerous for small boats.

Estamos ante un mercado potencialmente lucrativo.

We are looking at a potentially lucrative market.

The '-mente' Ending

Just like '-ly' in English, adding '-mente' to the end of a Spanish adjective turns it into a word that describes how or to what extent something is. Since it's an adverb, it never changes its ending to match masculine or feminine words.

Where to place it

You usually place 'potencialmente' right before the adjective it is describing, such as saying 'potencialmente útil' (potentially useful).

The 'Eventually' Trap

Mistake: “Using 'eventualmente' to mean 'potentially'.”

Correction: In Spanish, 'eventualmente' means 'by chance' or 'occasionally.' If you want to say something has the *capacity* to become something else, always use 'potencialmente'.

Confusing 'Quizás/Quizá' with 'Posiblemente'

Learners often use 'quizás' or 'quizá' interchangeably with 'posiblemente'. Remember that 'quizás/quizá' lean more towards 'maybe/perhaps' (a simple possibility), while 'posiblemente' implies a higher degree of likelihood, closer to the English 'possibly'.

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