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"Puede ser" is a phrase which is often translated as "maybe", and "puede que" is a phrase which is also often translated as "maybe". Learn more about the difference between "puede ser" and "puede que" below.
puede ser(
pweh
-
deh
sehr
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. maybe
¿Crees que a Ana le gusta Martín? - Puede ser. No lo sé.Do you think Ana likes Martín? - Maybe. I don't know.
b. perhaps
¿Vas a casarte con ella? - Puede ser. Ya veremos.Are you going to marry her? - Perhaps. We'll see.
c. it's possible
¿Habrá otro referendo? - Puede ser.Will there be another referendum? It's possible.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Crees que despedirán a papá? - Puede ser, pero no te preocupes.Do you think Pop will be dismissed? - He may be, but don't worry about it.
No habrá bebido el whisky Julián, ¿verdad? - Ni idea, pero supongo que puede ser.You don't think it was Julián who drank the whisky, do you? - I've no idea, but I suppose it could have been him.
puede que(
pweh
-
deh
keh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. maybe
Puede que Rodrigo esté mintiendo y que no haya visto a nadie en la casa.Maybe Rodrigo is lying and he didn't actually see anybody in the house.
b. perhaps
Puede que algún día nos sea posible confirmar si existe la vida en otros planetas.Perhaps one day we'll be able to confirm if there's life on other planets.
