也许
yěxǔ
Perhaps, maybe
也许 (yě xǔ) — perhaps, maybe
也许 (yěxǔ) + Subject + Predicate / Subject + 也许 (yěxǔ) + Predicate
HSK 43.0
Pattern diagram
也许Who / whatAction
Who / what也许Action
Rule structure
也许 (yěxǔ) is an adverb meaning “perhaps, maybe.” It expresses an uncertain guess or possibility and usually comes at the start of a sentence or before the predicate. Unlike 恐怕 (kǒngpà), 也许 (yěxǔ) does not carry a tone of worry; it simply allows that something may be the case.
Rule structure
也许 (yěxǔ) is an adverb meaning “perhaps, maybe.” It expresses an uncertain guess or possibility and usually comes at the start of a sentence or before the predicate. Unlike 恐怕 (kǒngpà), 也许 (yěxǔ) does not carry a tone of worry; it simply allows that something may be the case.
Examples
也许他今天不来了。
Yěxǔ tā jīntiān bù lái le.
Perhaps he won’t come today.
他也许在等朋友。
Tā yěxǔ zài děng péngyou.
He may be waiting for a friend.
Examples
也许他今天不来了。
Yěxǔ tā jīntiān bù lái le.
Perhaps he won’t come today.
他也许在等朋友。
Tā yěxǔ zài děng péngyou.
He may be waiting for a friend.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “perhaps, maybe” in Chinese with 也许?
Use the structure: 也许 (yěxǔ) + Subject + Predicate / Subject + 也许 (yěxǔ) + Predicate. For example: 也许他今天不来了。 — “Perhaps he won’t come today”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
也许他今天不来了。 — “Perhaps he won’t come today”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 4.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 4 grammar rules
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难道 — rhetorical question “don’t you…”
难道 (nándào)⋯⋯？
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
差点 — almost
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到底 — in the end, after all
到底 (dàodǐ) + Verb / Adj.
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question