Connotation different translations of "maybe"

Question

What are the different connotations of the various translations of the word or concept of "maybe"? So far I have seen these ones, and heard a couple of them used:

Tal Vez Quizá quizás acaso por ventura probablemente

I was told that "possiblemente" tends to means something that is unlikely to happen, even though in English we use "possibly" to often mean something that is likely to happen.

Thanks!!!

Bienvenida al foro. Welcome to the forum. - 0074b507, Feb 1, 2011

Answer 1

Actually, with great respect, we use the word 'probably' in English to express something that is very likely to happen whereas we use the word 'possibly' to suggest something that could happen but is less definite by implication.

I can give you words that I know that are used to mean perhaps;

1 Quizá/s: ejemplo: "¿Quizás vas a salir está noche?" ="Are you coming out tonight?2 - "Perhaps" (Quizá or quizás) I prefer to use the second.**

2 Puede ser ejemplo; Puedas (ser) que tengas razón = You may/could be right

3 Tal vez ejemplo: Tal vez no me haya oído = Perhaps she didn't hear me

4 A lo mejor ejemplo: A lo mejor vienen más tarde.=Perhaps they will come later

5 Posiblemente:ejemplo: Posiblemente no llegue hasta las 10 = It's possible he won't arrive until 10

I hope this helps

Answer 2

To me, "acaso" expresses a slightly different concept than "tal vez" and "quizás." Like in:

Acaso no recuerdas? Perhaps (maybe) you don't remember?

While "tal vez" and "quizás" usually express ideas like:

"Quizás ganemos" o "Tal vez le pregunte a mi madre" Maybe we'll win or Maybe I'll ask my mom

If I'm wrong, please correct me

Great point. Acaso feels a bit different, but it is perhaps (pardon the pun) because of its less frequent use. I like that word a lot. Thanks!l - gone, Feb 1, 2011

Answer 3

Don't forget the future tense.