literal meaning of "tal vez"

Question

I understand the word (or, is it a phrase?) means "perhaps" or "maybe" but I am wondering, just out of curiosity, what these two words literally mean if they are separated, and how, etymologically, do they eventually become "maybe" ?

tal = such

vez = time

such time?

:D I know we are supposed to just accept and not over-analyze etymological roots, but I'm just curious, so this question is just for fun. :D

Gracias.

Answer 1

My Spanish teacher told me to stop trying to translate everything literally, or my head would explode. So I stopped.

• How does your head feel now? - nizhoni1 Oct 18, 2009

Answer 2

Here's a good one for you: "No tiene nada que ver contigo" It has nothing to do with you. What is that "ver" doing in there? Most things about Spanish are easy but this is the hardest part...some phrases just make no sense when broken down. How about this one: "Por sentado no doy" which means something like "I don't assume". Of course, none of my mexican friends have ever heard the second phrase but everyone on the internet has, right guys?

• Quite right. - ChamacoMalo Oct 18, 2009
• Now they're the things i write down..things you might hear on the telly..but not understand at first blush... - 4Annie Oct 19, 2009

Answer 3

You teacher is quite right. English and Spanish are different. Taking out the trash is sacando la basura, but there are instances where the words don't quite fit. It's the same, just the way of describing it is different. Example....in English...I am 43 years old (don't tell anyone), in spanish, I have 43 years. Same thing...different way of describing it.

Answer 4

You are thinking too much...it means maybe.

Answer 5

Just for comparison the meaning of

"so" vs "so so"

"yes" vs "yes yes"