How to Say Maybe or Perhaps in German?

Expressing uncertainty or possibility in German—similar to saying "maybe" or "perhaps" in English—can be done in various ways, depending on the context, formality, and regional dialects. While "vielleicht" is the most common translation, there are many alternative words and phrases that convey different degrees of possibility.

How to say maybe or perhaps in German

1. Vielleicht – The Standard Way to Say "Maybe"

The most common and widely accepted word for "maybe" or "perhaps" in German is "vielleicht." It is used in both spoken and written language and fits in almost any situation, whether casual or formal.

📍 Examples:

• Vielleicht kommt er später. (Maybe he will come later.)

• Vielleicht hast du recht. (Perhaps you are right.)

• Vielleicht gehe ich morgen ins Kino. (Maybe I'll go to the cinema tomorrow.)

2. Eventuell – A Less Certain "Maybe"

"Eventuell" translates to "possibly" or "potentially." It suggests that something might happen but is not definite. It’s slightly less certain than "vielleicht" and is often used in formal or business contexts.

📍 Examples:

• Wir können uns eventuell morgen treffen. (We might possibly meet tomorrow.)

• Eventuell werde ich am Wochenende verreisen. (I might possibly travel over the weekend.)

• Das Projekt wird eventuell verschoben. (The project might possibly be postponed.)

3. Möglicherweise – A More Formal "Possibly"

"Möglicherweise" means "possibly" or "conceivably" and is more formal than "vielleicht." It is commonly used in written language, news reports, and academic discussions.

📍 Examples:

• Möglicherweise hat er den Termin vergessen. (Possibly, he forgot the appointment.)

• Das könnte möglicherweise ein Problem sein. (That could possibly be a problem.)

• Möglicherweise werde ich im Ausland studieren. (I might possibly study abroad.)

4. Wahrscheinlich – When "Maybe" Becomes "Probably"

"Wahrscheinlich" translates to "probably" and suggests a higher degree of certainty than "vielleicht." It is used when something is quite likely to happen.

📍 Examples:

• Er wird wahrscheinlich zu spät kommen. (He will probably arrive late.)

• Wahrscheinlich regnet es morgen. (It will probably rain tomorrow.)

• Ich werde wahrscheinlich nächstes Jahr umziehen. (I will probably move next year.)

5. Vermutlich – "Presumably" or "Supposedly"

"Vermutlich" means "presumably" or "supposedly" and is used when making an educated guess based on available information.

📍 Examples:

• Vermutlich hat sie den Bus verpasst. (Presumably, she missed the bus.)

• Er ist vermutlich schon zu Hause. (He is presumably already at home.)

• Das ist vermutlich ein Missverständnis. (That is presumably a misunderstanding.)

6. Kann sein – A Casual Way to Say "Could Be"

"Kann sein" translates to "could be" or "it's possible." It is an informal phrase often used in everyday conversations when you want to acknowledge uncertainty.

📍 Examples:

• Kann sein, dass er uns hilft. (It's possible that he will help us.)

• Das kann sein. (That could be.)

• Kann sein, dass es später regnet. (It might rain later.)

7. Mag sein – "Might Be" in a More Thoughtful Tone

"Mag sein" is similar to "kann sein," but it sounds slightly more formal or contemplative. It is often used in discussions where you acknowledge another person’s point but remain skeptical.

📍 Examples:

• Mag sein, dass du recht hast. (You might be right.)

• Es mag sein, dass er kommt. (It may be that he is coming.)

• Mag sein, dass das funktioniert, aber ich bin nicht überzeugt. (That might work, but I'm not convinced.)

8. Naja – A Colloquial Filler Word for Uncertainty

"Naja" is a common filler word in German that conveys hesitation or uncertainty. It is similar to "well" or "I guess" in English.

📍 Examples:

• Naja, vielleicht hast du recht. (Well, maybe you're right.)

• Naja, mal sehen. (Well, we'll see.)

• Naja, das kommt darauf an. (Well, that depends.)

9. Jein – A Fun "Yes and No" Response

"Jein" is a blend of "ja" (yes) and "nein" (no), used to express indecision or a mixed opinion. It is a very colloquial and lighthearted way to show uncertainty.

📍 Examples:

• Hast du Zeit? – Jein. (Do you have time? – Yes and no.)

• Magst du das Essen? – Jein, es ist okay. (Do you like the food? – Yes and no, it's okay.)

• Bist du zufrieden mit dem Ergebnis? – Jein, es hätte besser sein können. (Are you happy with the result? – Yes and no, it could have been better.)

10. Using Modal Particles to Convey Uncertainty

German modal particles add nuance to sentences and can subtly express uncertainty, hesitation, or speculation.

📍 Examples:

• Schon: Das ist schon möglich. (That's possible.)

• Doch: Das wird doch klappen, oder? (That will work out, won't it?)

• Eben: Das ist eben so. (That's just how it is.)

11. Regional Expressions for "Maybe"

Certain German dialects have their own ways of expressing uncertainty:

• Bavarian: Moang schee. (Could be nice.)

• Swiss German: En Guete! (Can also mean "perhaps," depending on context.)

• Luxembourgish: Vläicht. (Similar to "vielleicht.")

When to Use Which Word?

German Word	English Equivalent	Certainty Level	Common Usage
Vielleicht	Maybe, perhaps	Neutral	Everyday speech, universal
Eventuell	Possibly	Less certain	Formal, business settings
Möglicherweise	Possibly, conceivably	Less certain	Academic, written language
Wahrscheinlich	Probably	High certainty	Everyday speech
Vermutlich	Presumably	High certainty	News, assumptions
Kann sein	Could be	Uncertain	Informal conversations
Mag sein	Might be	Thoughtful uncertainty	Discussions, debates
Naja	Well, I guess	Hesitant	Colloquial, filler word
Jein	Yes and no	Indecisive	Colloquial, informal

Conclusion: Mastering "Maybe" in German

While "vielleicht" is the safest and most universally used word for "maybe," Germans have a variety of expressions to convey different levels of uncertainty. Whether you're discussing probabilities in a formal setting (möglicherweise, eventuell) or simply chatting casually (kann sein, naja, jein), choosing the right word will help you sound more natural and nuanced.

📢 Which of these words have you heard or used before? Are there similar expressions in your language? Let us know in the comments! 🚀

On our German language blog, you can also learn about the how to use “erst” in German, the essential German grammar topics for beginners, and my answer to the question whether German is hard to learn.