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"Si" is a form of "si", a conjunction which is often translated as "if". "Puede ser" is a phrase which is often translated as "maybe". Learn more about the difference between "puede ser" and "si" 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.
si(
see
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
