어쩌면
eojjeomyeon[ʌ̹t͡ɕ͈ʌ̹mjʌ̹n]
The English phrase 'may be' is expressed in Korean as 어쩌면 (eojjeomyeon).
어쩌면 is an adverbial phrase used to express that something is possible but not certain. It is typically placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence to set the tone of uncertainty for the entire statement.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of 어쩌다 (to happen by chance) and –면 (if), literally meaning 'if it happens by chance'.
Which one should you use?
While 어쩌면 expresses a possibility (maybe), the word 아마 expresses a higher degree of probability (probably).
How does it change in a sentence?
While 어쩌면 is an adverb used at the start of a sentence, the grammatical structure -ㄹ 수도 있다 is used to express possibility within the verb or adjective itself. Additionally, when using 어쩌면 with a verb, you would typically attach the verb ending -ㄹ/을지도 모르다.
How do you pronounce it?
eojjeomyeon
Did you know?
- While 어쩌면 means 'maybe', the similar-sounding 어쩌라고 is used as a confrontational phrase meaning 'So what do you want me to do about it?'
- Depending on the social hierarchy, using 어쩌면 to express uncertainty can be a strategic way to provide a 'polite' refusal without saying 'no' directly.
- The phrase 어쩌면 can evoke a sense of fate or destiny, making it a common opening for emotional realizations in K-drama dialogue and song lyrics.
Examples in context
- 아마도 그것이 맞을지도 모릅니다.That may be right.
- 그럴 수도 있습니다. 가능성이 있다고 생각해 봅니다.It could be true. I think there is a possibility.
- 아마 그게 맞을지도 몰라.Maybe that's right.
- 어쩌면 그게 맞을지도 몰라.Perhaps that's right.
- 갈지도 모르겠어요.I may go.
- 아마도 가능성이 있다고 생각해 봅니다.I think there may be a possibility.
- 어쩌면 그가 올지도 몰라요.eojjeomyeon geuga oljido mollayo.Maybe he might come.
- 어쩌면 내일 비가 올 거예요.eojjeomyeon naeil biga ol geoyeyo.Maybe it will rain tomorrow.
- 그건 어쩌면 사실일 수도 있어요.geugeon eojjeomyeon sasiril sudo isseoyo.That may be the truth.
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Minjun are discussing a missing book.
- 서연 Seo-yeon내 책이 어디 갔지?nae chaegi eodi gatji?Where did my book go?
- 민준 Min-jun어쩌면 거실에 있을 거예요.eojjeomyeon geosil-e isseul geoyeyo.Maybe it's in the living room.
- 서연 Seo-yeon거기에는 없는데.geogieneun eomneunde.It's not there.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 방에 있을지도 몰라요.geureom bang-e isseuljido mollayo.Then it might be in the room.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 어쩌면, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
