可能
Maybe
可能 (ho2 nang4) means 'maybe', 'might', or 'possibly'. It indicates a moderate (~50%) chance of something happening. It is used before a verb phrase or at the very beginning of a sentence.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Function
可能 (ho2 nang4) is Cantonese's primary word for expressing probability or uncertainty ('maybe / perhaps / possible'). It indicates lower certainty than 應該 (jing1 goi1, 'should / likely') or 一定 (jat1 ding6, 'definitely').
2. Sentence Positions & Flexibility
As an adverb meaning 'maybe / perhaps', 可能 can appear either preverbally (after the subject) or sentence-initially (before the subject):
- Sentence-initial: 可能佢唔喺度 (ho2 nang4 keoi5 m4 hai2 dou6 — 'Maybe he isn't here').
- Preverbal: 佢可能唔喺度 (keoi5 ho2 nang4 m4 hai2 dou6 — 'He might not be here').
Additionally, 可能 functions as a noun meaning 'possibility' when used as an object after 有 or 冇 (e.g., 係有可能嘅 'It is possible / there is a possibility'; 冇可能 'impossible / no way').
3. Combining with Auxiliary Verbs
To make future predictions sound softer, 可能 is frequently combined with 會 (wui5, 'will') to form 可能會 (ho2 nang4 wui5, 'might / could likely'). For example: 聽日可能會落雨 (ting1 jat6 ho2 nang4 wui5 lok6 jyu5 — 'It might rain tomorrow').
4. Key Distinctions
• 可能 (ho2 nang4) vs. 或者 (waak6 ze2): Both 可能 and 或者 can be used as adverbs meaning 'maybe / perhaps'. However, 或者 can also join options ('or' in statements), whereas 可能 strictly indicates possibility and can NEVER mean 'or'.
• 可能 (ho2 nang4) vs. 應該 (jing1 goi1): 應該 expresses logical expectation (~70–80% probability), whereas 可能 expresses pure, uncommitted possibility (~50%).
Examples (4)
- 佢可能聽日先嚟。
He might not come until tomorrow.
Word by Word: He maybe tomorrow then come.
可能 (ho2 nang4) is placed preverbally to express uncertainty about when he will arrive.
- 可能聽日會落雨，記得帶傘呀。
It might rain tomorrow; remember to bring an umbrella.
Word by Word: Maybe tomorrow will fall rain, remember bring umbrella SFP.
可能 is placed clause-initially and paired with 會 (wui5) to speculate on future weather.
- 佢哋可能唔記得咗呢件事。
They might have forgotten about this matter.
Word by Word: They maybe not remember-PERF this item matter.
Placing 唔 (m4) AFTER 可能 produces the meaning 'might not'.
- 呢件事冇可能發生。
There is no way this can happen / This is impossible.
Word by Word: This item matter not-have possibility happen.
Placing 冇 (mou5) BEFORE 可能 turns it into a noun meaning 'possibility', expressing 'no possibility / impossible'.
Common Mistakes
Using 可能 + 唔 when you mean 'impossible'.
Different Meaning佢可能唔會成功。佢冇可能成功。可能 + 唔 means 'might not' (he might not succeed). To express 'impossible / no way', place 冇 or 唔 BEFORE 可能 (佢冇可能成功 / 佢唔可能成功).
Using 可能 as the conjunction 'or'.
你食飯可能食麵？你食飯定係食麵？可能 only means 'maybe' or 'possibility'. It cannot connect alternatives. Use 定係 for 'or' in questions, or 或者 in statements.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use '可能' (maybe) effectively, you need to understand basic Cantonese word order, as this adverb typically appears before the verb. You should also be familiar with basic negation and other auxiliary verbs that express future or modal concepts to correctly place '可能' in a sentence.
Related Patterns
- 應該Should
Expresses 'should / likely' with higher certainty (~70-80%) based on logic, compared to 可能 (~50%).
Level 1 - 冇可能Impossible
The absolute negation of possibility ('impossible / no way').
Level 3 - 一定Definitely
Expresses strong certainty ('definitely / must'), contrasting with the uncertainty of 可能.
Level 2 - 或者（推測）Perhaps
Functions as a synonym of 可能 when used preverbally ('maybe / perhaps'), but also functions as 'or' in statements. 可能 cannot mean 'or'.
Level 3
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Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice 可能 in Bubblegum
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