poate
/ˈpo̯ate/
The Romanian word for "maybe" is poate.
poate is used to indicate a lack of certainty.
Meaning: indicating a lack of certainty (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word poate is the third-person singular form of the verb a putea (to be able to/can), and it literally translates to "it can" or "it is possible".
How does it change in a sentence?
While poate can stand alone, it is very frequently paired with the conjunction că to form poate că when introducing a clause, similar to how one might say "maybe that…" in English. When used as a standalone adverb to answer a question, poate functions as a one-word response meaning "maybe" or "perhaps".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpo̯ate/
Did you know?
- Because poate is actually a conjugated verb, Romanian speakers can change its tense to poatea to say 'maybe it was' or 'it could have been'.
- The word poate shares a common ancestor with the English word 'power'. This is because both the Romanian 'ability' and the English 'power' stem from the concept of being able to do something.
- In casual conversation, poate is frequently used as a polite way to make a request or a suggestion, acting more like 'perhaps we could' than a statement of uncertainty.
Examples in context
- Se poate să ningă.Maybe it will snow.This sentence shows how to use poate to express a possibility regarding weather.Tatoeba #7726379 by CataG, translation #408313 by Liface
- Poate că ai dreptate.Maybe you were right.This sentence demonstrates using poate to express a possibility regarding someone's correctness.Tatoeba #5208410 by fathe, translation #2647116 by CK
- Poate că am ratat ceva.Maybe we missed something.This sentence illustrates how to use poate to suggest a possibility of an oversight.Tatoeba #12990602 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #11142763 by mutskt
- Crezi că vor accepta propunerea? – Probabil.Do you think they will accept the proposal? – Maybe.
- Ai putea să mă ajuți cu acest raport? – S-ar putea.Could you help me with this report? – Maybe.
- Vrei să mergem la film? – Poate.Do you want to go to the cinema? – Maybe.
- O să vină la petrecere? – Poate că da, poate că nu.Will they come to the party? – Maybe yes, maybe no.
- Te-ar interesa să mergem în excursie? – Nu știu.Would you be interested in going on a trip? – Maybe/I don't know.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ioana and Stefan are planning a walk in the park.
- IoanaVrei să mergem în parc astăzi?Do you want to go to the park today?
- StefanPoate, dar acum plouă.Maybe, but it is raining now.
- IoanaSe va opri ploaia curând?Will the rain stop soon?
- StefanPoate, dacă ne uităm pe radar.Maybe, if we look at the radar.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maybe” translations and entries poate, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
