也许【yěxǔ】

perhaps, maybe, possibly, might, yexu

Says something is possible but not sure, "perhaps" or "maybe", before the verb or at the start of the sentence: 。 is "maybe he isn't coming".

HSK 4

AI-generated

Structure

[subject] + 也许 + [verb phrase]

也许 + [clause]

也许 + [clause]，也许 + [clause]

也许 means "perhaps". It goes after the subject or at the very start, and the speaker is guessing with no strong lean either way.

。

Maybe he isn't coming.

。

Perhaps you're right.

It also offers a suggestion without pushing it.

。

Maybe we should set off a bit earlier.

Two 也许 clauses side by side lay out the options, like "maybe this, maybe that".

，。

He might be at home or he might be at the office.

Both mean "maybe" before a verb. 可能 also works as a noun and an adjective, so only 可能 fits after 不, 有 or 很.

English puts "maybe" at the end of a sentence as an afterthought. 也许 can't go there.

。

Maybe he isn't coming.

。

Perhaps you're right.

。

Maybe we should set off a bit earlier.

，。

He might be at home or he might be at the office.

。

It might snow tomorrow.

。

Perhaps she didn't hear.

。