vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Tal vez" is a phrase which is often translated as "maybe", and "posiblemente" is an adverb which is often translated as "possibly". Learn more about the difference between "tal vez" and "posiblemente" below.
tal vez(
tahl
behs
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (possibly)
posiblemente(
poh
-
see
-
bleh
-
mehn
-
teh
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (general)
a. possibly
Posiblemente, este es el mejor restaurante de la ciudad.This is possibly the best restaurant in town.
b. maybe
¿Vas a venir a mi fiesta de cumpleaños? - Posiblemente.Are you coming to my birthday party? - Maybe.
c. perhaps
Roberto ya debería estar aquí. Posiblemente no haya podido obtener una entrada.Roberto should be here by now. Perhaps he couldn't get a ticket.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Diana parecía triste y habló muy poco. - Posiblemente se haya peleado con Diego.Diana seemed sad and said very little. - She might have had a row with Diego.
Si el tiempo no mejora, posiblemente tengan que aplazar el concierto.If the weather doesn't improve, they may have to postpone the concert.
