或者
waak⁶ ze²
In Cantonese, the English word "maybe" can be expressed in several ways, most commonly with 或者 (waak⁶ ze²). Wiktionary also lists 有可能 (jau⁵ ho² nang⁴).
Meaning: indicating a lack of certainty (adv)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 或者 | waak⁶ ze² |
| 有可能 | jau⁵ ho² nang⁴ |
These terms are used to indicate a lack of certainty.
Which one should you use?
或者 is frequently used to mean both "maybe" and "or" to connect alternatives. In contrast, 有可能 is more literal and emphasizes the existence of a possibility, translating to "have possibility" and sounding more objective than the more casual 或者. While 或者 is a common way to express uncertainty, the single word 可能 is a very frequent way to say "maybe" or "possibly" in daily spoken Cantonese.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 或者 can function as an adverb meaning "maybe" or as a conjunction meaning "or" to connect alternatives in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
waak⁶ ze²
Did you know?
- When someone is being evasive or doesn't want to give a direct 'no', they may use 有可能 to create a psychological distance between themselves and the possibility.
- In highly informal settings, Cantonese speakers might drop the formal markers of uncertainty entirely and use a rising tone to imply 'maybe' without using a specific word.
- Cantonese has several 'maybe' expressions that vary based on the degree of probability, where 有可能 suggests a higher likelihood than the more vague 或者.
Examples in context
- 或者呢本書有齊晒你需要知嘅嘢呢。Maybe everything you need to know is in this book.This sentence shows how to use 或者 to suggest that information might be found in a book.Tatoeba #9541401 by nickyeow, translation #9498472 by CK
- 「我會喺想同柏林啲朋友靜靜地但象徵性噉慶祝英國脫歐之間，定係只係同老公留喺屋企，然後去對面我哋當地嘅酒吧飲兩杯濃烈嘅雞尾酒。或者可能只係上床瞓覺，然後匿喺張被下面。無論我最後做乜，我內心深處嘅心情都會係悲傷。」“I fluctuate between wanting to mark Brexit quietly but symbolically with some friends in Berlin, or just staying home with my husband and going across the road to our local bar for a couple of strong cocktails. Or maybe just going to bed and hiding under the duvet. Whatever I end up doing, the mood deep down will be sadness,” she said.This sentence uses 或者 to present different possible scenarios for a person's evening.Tatoeba #13494507 by Davidgo5867, translation #8502490 by Hybrid
- 你講嘅建議可能有道理。Your suggestion maybe makes sense.
- 佢可能係喺度等緊我哋。Maybe she's waiting for us over there.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing where to eat dinner.
- 志強 Chi Keung我唔知食乜好。ngo5 z1 zyu2 sik6 mat1 hou2.I don't know what to eat.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan或者我哋去食日本菜？waak2 ze2 ngo5 dei6 heoi3 sik6 jat6 bun2 coi3?Maybe we can go eat Japanese food?
- 志強 Chi Keung日本菜好似好貴。jat6 bun2 coi3 hou2 ci5 hou2 gwai3.Japanese food seems quite expensive.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan噉或者食茶餐廳啦。gam2 waak2 ze2 sik6 ca4 can1 ting1 laa1.Then maybe let's eat at a cha chaan teng.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maybe” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
