也许

yě xǔ

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adverb Very common

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Definitions

1. perhaps
2. maybe

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 一定 yī dìng 一定 yī dìng surely 一定 indicates certainty, opposite of 也许.: surely

Related words

1 item

• 大概 dà gài 大概 dà gài roughly 大概 expresses rough estimation, not uncertainty.: roughly

Synonyms

2 items

• 可能 kě néng 可能 kě néng might (happen) Both express possibility, but 也许 is more subjective while 可能 is more objective.: might (happen)
• 或许 huò xǔ 或许 huò xǔ perhaps; maybe Formal synonym, often used in written language.: perhaps; maybe

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Don't place 也许 at the end of a sentence; it usually comes before the verb or at the beginning of the clause.

Formality

也许 is neutral, while 或许 is slightly more formal and literary.

Grammar

Guides that feature 也许

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1 guide

HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 5 min

也许 and 恐怕 for “Perhaps” and “I’m Afraid”

Use 也许 for a neutral guess and 恐怕 for a guess about something you would rather not happen.

Reading: yě xǔ Open guide

Example Sentences

1 shown

也许 他会来。

Perhaps he will come.

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Child Words of 也许

• 也 也 yě: (adverb) also; both ... and ... (before predicates only)
• 许 许 xǔ: to allow