może
/ˈmɔ.ʐɛ/
The Polish word for "maybe" is może. Wiktionary also lists być może.
Meaning: indicating a lack of certainty (adv)
Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA |
|---|---|
| może | /ˈmɔ.ʐɛ/ /ˈmɔ.ʐɛ/ (Middle, Polish) |
| być może | /ˈbɘt͡ɕ ˈmɔ.ʐɛ/ |
The word is used to indicate a lack of certainty.
Which one should you use?
może is the standard, more common way to say "maybe," whereas być może is slightly more formal or emphatic, functioning much like "perhaps" in English.
How does it change in a sentence?
Note that może is homonymous with the third-person singular form of the verb móc, which means "he/she/it may" or "he/she/it can."
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈmɔ.ʐɛ/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The word może is related to the verb móc, which shares an ancient root with the English word 'might'.
- The word może is an example of a 'hedge' in Polish, often used to make a command or suggestion sound less aggressive and more like a polite request.
- The short form może is actually an ellipsis of być może that only became common in written and spoken Polish around the year 1588.
Examples in context
- Może ci się uda.Maybe you'll succeed.This sentence demonstrates the use of może to express a possibility of success.Tatoeba #548033 by Bilberry, translation #65028 by CK
- Może to był kot.Maybe it was a cat.This sentence shows how może can be used to express uncertainty about an identity.Tatoeba #12069011 by jimbojim, translation #2648068 by CK
- Być może się mylę.Maybe I'm wrong.This sentence illustrates using the more formal być może to express a possibility of being wrong.Tatoeba #744034 by zipangu, translation #3733975 by CK
- Czy zamówienie zostanie dostarczone jutro? Być możeWill the order be delivered tomorrow? Maybe/Perhaps
- 132 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tomasz and Agnieszka are discussing plans for the weekend.
- TomaszIdziemy jutro do kina?Are we going to the cinema tomorrow?
- AgnieszkaMoże, ale muszę sprawdzić pogodę.Maybe, but I need to check the weather.
- TomaszSzkoda, bardzo chcę obejrzeć ten film.That's a pity, I really want to see this movie.
- AgnieszkaMoże pójdziemy w poniedziałek?Maybe we could go on Monday?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maybe” translations and entries może, być może, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries być, być może, może, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
