vielleicht
/fiˈlaɪ̯çt/
The German word for 'maybe' is vielleicht. Wiktionary also lists möglicherweise and womöglich.
Meaning: indicating a lack of certainty (adv)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| vielleicht | /fiˈlaɪ̯çt/ (standard) /flaɪ̯ç(t)/ |
| möglicherweise | /ˈmøːklɪçɐˈvaɪ̯zə/ |
| womöglich | /voːˈmøːklɪç/ |
vielleicht is the most common and versatile way to say 'maybe' in everyday German. You can use vielleicht as a one-word answer to express uncertainty, just like 'maybe' in English.
Which one should you use?
vielleicht is the common, everyday term. möglicherweise translates more closely to 'possibly' and is used in more formal contexts. womöglich carries a nuance of 'it is conceivable' or 'it might be the case', often used when expressing a suspicion or a possibility that is slightly more remote than vielleicht.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, vielleicht does not change its form based on gender, case or number.
How do you pronounce it?
/fiˈlaɪ̯çt/
Did you know?
- Using vielleicht in a response can sometimes be interpreted as a polite 'no' in certain social contexts, depending on the speaker's tone.
- The word vielleicht originally meant 'very easily' in Middle High German, suggesting that a 'maybe' is something that could easily happen.
- In some German dialects, vielleicht is used as a polite filler word to soften a request or a statement, similar to how 'perhaps' functions in formal English.
Examples in context
- Vielleicht ist es Tom.Maybe it's Tom.This sentence shows how to use vielleicht to express uncertainty about an identity.Tatoeba #6614825 by Felixjp, translation #5902792 by CK
- Vielleicht ist es wahr.Maybe it's true.This sentence demonstrates using vielleicht to express uncertainty about a fact.Tatoeba #1448314 by Espi, translation #866728 by avenelanna
- Vielleicht war er krank.Maybe he was ill.This sentence uses vielleicht to express uncertainty regarding a past state.Tatoeba #1390226 by Esperantostern, translation #1390234 by Eldad
- Vielleicht habe ich nächste Woche Zeit.Maybe I have time next week.
- Unter Umständen kann ich den Bericht bis morgen fertigstellen.Maybe I can finish the report by tomorrow, depending on the circumstances.
- Eventuell komme ich zur Party.Maybe I will come to the party.
- Mal sehen, vielleicht habe ich Lust.Let's see, maybe I feel like it.
- Möglicherweise bin ich nächste Woche erreichbar.Maybe I will be available next week.
- 821 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Julian are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- LauraGehen wir morgen ins Kino?Are we going to the cinema tomorrow?
- JulianVielleicht, ich muss erst meinen Plan prüfen.Maybe, I have to check my schedule first.
- LauraKönnen wir es heute entscheiden?Can we decide today?
- JulianIch sage dir vielleicht heute Abend Bescheid.Maybe I will let you know this evening.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maybe” translations and entries vielleicht, möglicherweise, womöglich, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries möglicherweise, vielleicht, womöglich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
