gal / galbūt / turbūt / tikriausiai
Maybe and Probably
Gal and galbūt = maybe: Gal jis serga. Turbūt and tikriausiai = probably: Tikriausiai jie jau namie. At the start of a question, gal can make a friendly suggestion: Gal einam į kiną?
How It Works
From less sure to more sure
- gal: maybe. Common in everyday speech.
- galbūt: maybe, perhaps. A little fuller, common in writing too.
- turbūt: probably.
- tikriausiai: most probably, very likely. Greičiausiai is used the same way.
Where they go
They usually come at the start of the sentence or just before the verb: Jis turbūt pavargo. Turbūt jis pavargo. (He is probably tired.)
Gal in suggestions
Gal can soften an offer or suggestion: Gal nori arbatos? (Would you like some tea?) Gal einam į kiną? (Shall we go to the cinema?) Here einam is the everyday short form of einame. For yes-no questions without this softness, see Yes-No Questions With Ar.
Spelling
Galbūt and turbūt are written as one word.
Do not confuse
tikrai means really or certainly, not probably: Jis tikrai ateis means he will definitely come.
Examples (6)
- Gal jis serga.
Maybe he is ill.
Word by Word: Maybe he is-ill.
- Galbūt jis teisus.
Perhaps he is right.
Word by Word: Perhaps he right.
- Tikriausiai jie jau namie.
They are probably at home already.
Word by Word: Most-probably they already at-home.
- Rytoj turbūt lis.
It will probably rain tomorrow.
Word by Word: Tomorrow probably will-rain.
- Gal einam į kiną?
Shall we go to the cinema?
Word by Word: Maybe we-go to cinema?
Gal at the start of a question makes a friendly suggestion.
- Gal nori arbatos?
Would you like some tea?
Word by Word: Maybe you-want tea?
Common Mistakes
Using tikrai when you mean probably.
Jis tikrai serga, bet nežinau.Jis tikriausiai serga, bet nežinau.Tikrai means certainly, which clashes with "but I don't know". Tikriausiai means probably.
Writing turbūt as two words.
Jis tur būt pavargo.Jis turbūt pavargo.Turbūt is one word, and so is galbūt.
Related Patterns
- Questions With arYes-No Questions with Ar
Ar introduces a yes-no question; gal can add tentativeness or soften a suggestion.
Level 1 - Future -s-The Future Tense
Guesses about the future combine these words with the future tense, as in Rytoj turbūt lis.
Level 3 - Parenthetical Words
Other words that show the speaker's attitude to a sentence.
Level 4 - atrodoSeeming with Atrodyti
Another way to say something seems true without being sure.
Level 3 - kažinI Wonder with Kažin
Kažin adds doubt in a similar way: I wonder if.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice gal / galbūt / turbūt / tikriausiai in Bubblegum
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