quizais / talvez
Perhaps: Quizais and Talvez
Quizais and talvez mean perhaps. With the subjunctive the idea sounds less sure: Quizais veña mañá. With the indicative it sounds more likely: Talvez ten razón.
How It Works
Two words, one meaning
Quizais and talvez both express doubt or possibility. Quizabes is another accepted form. The dictionary also lists quizá and quizás, but marks quizais as the recommended form.
Choosing the mood
- Subjunctive: more doubt. Quizais veña mañá (perhaps he will come tomorrow); Talvez non sexa boa idea (perhaps it is not a good idea).
- Indicative: the speaker leans towards it being true. Talvez ten razón (perhaps she is right).
- After the verb: indicative only. Chegará tarde, quizais (he will arrive late, perhaps).
Pronouns. Like other adverbs of doubt, quizais and talvez pull a pronoun before the verb: Quizais o saiba a túa irmá, Talvez o sabe. Compare other adverbs with the same effect.
Similar expressions. Se cadra is very common in speech and usually takes the indicative. Poida que always takes the subjunctive.
Examples (5)
- Quizais veña mañá.
Perhaps he will come tomorrow.
Word by Word: Perhaps he-come tomorrow.
Veña is present subjunctive: the speaker is not sure.
- Talvez ten razón.
Perhaps she is right.
The indicative ten shows that the speaker thinks it is likely.
- Quizais o saiba a túa irmá.
Perhaps your sister knows.
Quizais pulls the pronoun o before the verb.
- Chegará tarde, quizais.
He will arrive late, perhaps.
When quizais comes after the verb, only the indicative is possible.
- Talvez non sexa boa idea.
Perhaps it is not a good idea.
Sexa is the present subjunctive of ser.
Common Mistakes
Using the subjunctive when quizais comes after the verb.
Veña quizais mañá.Quizais veña mañá.The subjunctive needs quizais or talvez before the verb.
Putting the pronoun after the verb.
Talvez sábeo.Talvez o sabe.Talvez and quizais pull the pronoun before the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Quizais and talvez qualify certainty and can combine with different moods.
Related Patterns
- poida que + SubjunctiveMaybe: Poida Que
Another way to say maybe, which always takes the subjunctive.
Level 4 - se cadraMaybe: Se Cadra
A very common spoken way to say maybe, usually with the indicative.
Level 3 - seicaApparently: Seica
Another adverb that pulls the pronoun before the verb, used for things the speaker has heard.
Level 5 - Future of Probability
The future tense can also express a guess.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice quizais / talvez in Bubblegum
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