asi / možno / hádam
Probably and Maybe
Asi (probably), možno (maybe) and hádam or azda (perhaps) show how sure the speaker is. They are single words added to an ordinary sentence.
How It Works
How sure are you? From most to least certain:
- určite – definitely
- asi (or the more formal pravdepodobne) – probably
- možno – maybe
- hádam, azda – perhaps
Just add the word. These words do not change the verb. They usually come at the start or just before the verb: Vonku asi prší. (It's probably raining outside.) Možno prídem neskôr. (Maybe I'll come later.) For the future, use a perfective verb as usual: prídem, zavolám.
Short answers. They work alone too: Asi áno. (Probably.) Asi nie. (Probably not.) Možno. (Maybe.)
Hádam and azda. Hádam often adds hope: Hádam to stihneme. (Hopefully we'll make it.) In a question or a negative sentence, hádam and azda can show surprise or doubt: Hádam sa nehneváš? (You're not angry, are you?) To azda nie! (Surely not!) Azda sounds a little more bookish than hádam.
Asi with numbers. Before a number, asi means about: asi desať minút (about ten minutes).
Other ways. You can also show likelihood with verbs: Musí byť doma. (He must be at home.) See must and may for likelihood. To pass on what others say, use vraj.
Examples (6)
- Vonku asi prší.
It's probably raining outside.
Word by Word: Outside probably it-rains.
- Možno prídem neskôr.
Maybe I'll come later.
Word by Word: Maybe I-will-come later.
- Hádam to ešte stihneme.
Hopefully we'll still make it.
Word by Word: Perhaps it still we-will-make.
Hádam adds a note of hope.
- Čakali sme asi pol hodiny.
We waited about half an hour.
Word by Word: We-waited about half hour.
Before an amount, asi means about.
- Prídeš zajtra? – Asi nie.
Are you coming tomorrow? – Probably not.
Word by Word: You-will-come tomorrow? – Probably not.
- Azda má pravdu.
Perhaps he's right.
Word by Word: Perhaps he-has truth.
Common Mistakes
Using the Czech word možná.
Možná prídem zajtra.Možno prídem zajtra.Možná is Czech. The Slovak word for maybe is možno.
Using asi when you are sure.
Asi prídem, sľubujem!Určite prídem, sľubujem!Asi means probably, so it does not fit a promise. When you are sure, use určite (definitely).
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- musieť / môcť (Likelihood)Must and May for Likelihood
Musieť and môcť can also show how likely something is.
Level 4 - možno / nemožno + InfinitiveIt Is Possible to: Možno
The same word možno with an infinitive means it is possible to do something.
Level 5 - vraj / údajneReportedly: Vraj
Another particle that changes how sure a sentence sounds, by saying someone else claims it.
Level 4 - Perfective Verbs for the Future
Možno prídem uses a perfective present form for the future.
Level 2 - Counting Numbers
Asi before a number means about: asi desať.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice asi / možno / hádam in Bubblegum
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