Vietnamese 'có lẽ' Usage (Maybe/Possibly)
'có lẽ' means "maybe/possibly." Its actual function and register depend on the sentence structure and examples in this lesson.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'có lẽ' means "maybe/possibly." Its actual function and register depend on the sentence structure and examples in this lesson.
English meanings
- maybe
- possibly
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Có lẽ anh ấy chưa nhận được tin nhắn.
Maybe he hasn't received the message yet.
2
Có lẽ ngày mai trời sẽ mưa.
It might rain tomorrow.
How to use it
'có lẽ' expresses "maybe/possibly," used to indicate speculation. Its tone is weaker than certainty and does not imply definite knowledge.
- 'có lẽ' is followed by a complete clause.
- The tone is neutral and can be used in both written and spoken language.
- If the information is hearsay, do not use 'có lẽ'; use 'nghe nói' instead.
Compared with English
Compared with English
In English, 'maybe' or 'possibly' can appear in various sentence positions; in Vietnamese, 'có lẽ' usually appears at the beginning of a sentence or before the subject to introduce speculation.
Common mistakes
Anh ấy có lẽ.
Có lẽ anh ấy chưa nhận được tin nhắn.
'có lẽ' must be followed by a full speculative clause.
Có lẽ anh ấy sắp sang Việt Nam vì tôi nghe người ta nói.
Nghe nói anh ấy sắp sang Việt Nam.
If the source is hearsay, 'nghe nói' is more accurate than 'có lẽ'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
What kind of mood does 'có lẽ' express?
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Multiple choice
What kind of mood does 'có lẽ' express?
- Uncertain speculation
- Command
- Completed action
Answer: Uncertain speculation
Explanation: 'có lẽ' conveys 'maybe' or 'possibly'.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ anh ấy chưa nhận được tin nhắn.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: ____ anh ấy chưa nhận được tin nhắn.
Answer: Có lẽ anh ấy chưa nhận được tin nhắn.
Explanation: 'có lẽ' is followed by a complete clause.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Maybe he hasn't received the message yet." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "Maybe he hasn't received the message yet." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Có lẽ anh ấy chưa nhận được tin nhắn.
Explanation: Use có lẽ in the same structure as the example.
True or false
Is this sentence correct? Anh ấy có lẽ.
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True or false
Is this sentence correct? Anh ấy có lẽ.
Answer: False
Explanation: 'có lẽ' must be followed by a complete speculative clause.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Có lẽ.
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Correction
Correct this sentence: Có lẽ.
Answer: Có lẽ anh ấy chưa nhận được tin nhắn.
Explanation: A speculative phrase must be followed by a complete clause.