por casualidad
/poɾ kaswalidad/from spelling rules
The English phrase "by any chance" is translated into Spanish as por casualidad.
Por casualidad is used to express that something might be possible or perhaps true, typically when asking a question. In a declarative sentence, the phrase shifts meaning to mean "by accident" or "coincidentally".
Meaning: possibly, perhaps (prep_phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition por (by/for) and the noun casualidad (chance/coincidence).
Which one should you use?
When used in a question, por casualidad means "by any chance". However, when used in a declarative sentence, it means "by accident" or "coincidentally".
How does it change in a sentence?
You can place por casualidad at the beginning, middle or end of a question without changing its meaning.
Did you know?
- The word casualidad shares a root with the English word 'casualty'. Both stem from the idea of something happening by chance or an unforeseen event.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, adding por casualidad to a request makes the question sound more polite and less demanding by pretending the speaker is not entirely sure of the answer.
- While por casualidad means 'by chance', Spanish uses a different word, azar, to describe the mathematical or philosophical concept of 'randomness' or 'fate'.
Examples in context
- ¿Tú no hablas francés por casualidad, verdad?You don't speak French by any chance, do you?This example shows how to use por casualidad in a question about speaking a language.Tatoeba #4765904 by alegarvid, translation #3183504 by CK
- ¿Conoces a un hombre llamado Tom Jackson, por casualidad?Do you know a man named Tom Jackson by any chance?This example demonstrates asking if someone knows a specific person using por casualidad.Tatoeba #4317563 by pchamorro, translation #3130050 by CK
- ¿Por casualidad le conoce usted?Do you know him, by any chance?This example shows how to use por casualidad to ask if someone knows a person.Tatoeba #2258161 by THURET, translation #2258160 by _undertoad
- Disculpe, ¿por casualidad sabe dónde está la estación de autobuses?Excuse me, by any chance, do you know where the bus station is?
- ¿De casualidad tendrás su número de teléfono?By any chance, do you have his/her phone number?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is looking for a pen in the office.
- Lucía¿Tienes un bolígrafo extra por casualidad, Alejandro?Do you have an extra pen by any chance, Alejandro?
- AlejandroSí, tengo uno en mi escritorio.Yes, I have one on my desk.
- Lucía¡Qué bien! Muchas gracias.Great! Thank you very much.
- AlejandroDe nada, Lucía. Aquí tienes.You're welcome, Lucía. Here you go.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
