可能 · 也许
maybe, probably
Structure
主语 + 可能／也许 （+ 会 ） + 动词
What it means
可能 and 也许 both mean “maybe”. 可能 is a little more sure (“probably”), 也许 more of a guess (“perhaps”).
How it is built
Subject + 可能／也许 (+ 会) + verb, or at the very start: 明天可能会下雪 (It may snow tomorrow). Add 会 (“will”, h1-19) for the future.
When to use it
Use them for guesses. Only 可能 can also mean “possible”: 不可能 “impossible”, 这不可能！ 也许 can’t be used that way.
Watch out
They go before the verb, never after it. ✗ 他去可能。 ✓ 他可能去。
Examples
明天可能会下雪。
It may snow tomorrow.
他也许不知道。
Perhaps he doesn’t know.
这不可能！
That’s impossible!
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 6: 冬天冷，夏天热 (Seasons)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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