Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| мо́жет быть | móžet bytʹ |
| возмо́жно | vozmóžno |
| наве́рное | navérnoje |
| то́ ли | tó li |
Russian offers different ways to express uncertainty depending on whether you are stating a possibility, a probability or choosing between two specific options. Use мо́жет быть for a general 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. Use то́ ли … то́ ли when you are uncertain between two specific alternatives, such as 'maybe it's a cat or maybe it's a dog'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase мо́жет быть is literally composed of the third-person singular verb мо́жет (it may/can) and the infinitive быть (to be), meaning 'it may be'.
Which one should you use?
The terms differ in their nuance and degree of certainty. мо́жет быть is a versatile and common way to express 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. возмо́жно focuses more on the possibility of a situation, functioning like 'possibly' or 'it is possible'. наве́рное expresses a higher degree of certainty than мо́жет быть, making it closer to 'probably' or 'likely'. Finally, то́ ли … то́ ли is used specifically to express uncertainty between two specific alternatives.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Russia, the shorter form может is used instead of мо́жет быть.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a parenthetical 'maybe' in a sentence (for example, 'Maybe he is busy'), мо́жет быть is often set off by commas in written Russian.
How do you pronounce it?
móžet bytʹ
Did you know?
- The word быть in the phrase мо́жет быть is a distant relative of the English word 'be'. Both can be traced back to the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- Russian speakers often use мо́жет быть as a polite way to soften a request or a criticism to avoid sounding too direct or demanding.
- When using то́ ли … то́ ли to weigh two options, Russian speakers may use a specific intonation that sounds like a shrug in vocal form.
Examples in context
- Возможно, я смогу прийти на вашу вечеринку.Maybe I will be able to come to your party.
- Вероятно, завтра будет дождь.Maybe it will rain tomorrow.
- Может быть, я пойду в кино вечером.Maybe I will go to the cinema in the evening.
- Мо́жет быть, мы пойдём в кино.Mozhet byt', my poydyom v kino.Maybe we will go to the cinema.
- Он мо́жет быть завтра освободится.On mozhet byt' zavtra svoboditsya.Maybe he will be free tomorrow.
- Мо́жет быть, это хорошая идея.Mozhet byt', eto khoroshaya ideya.Maybe it is a good idea.
Example conversation
Sergey and Maria are discussing their plans for the evening.
- Сергей SergeyМо́жет быть, пойдём гулять в парк?Mozhet byt', poydyom gulyat' v park?Maybe we'll go for a walk in the park?
- Мария MariaМо́жет быть, но сейчас слишком холодно.Mozhet byt', no seychas slishkom kholodno.Maybe, but it is too cold right now.
- Сергей SergeyТогда мы можем остаться дома.Togda my mozhem ostat'sya doma.Then we can stay at home.
- Мария MariaДа, это отличный план.Da, eto otlichnyy plan.Yes, that is an excellent plan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maybe” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries быть, ли, CC BY-SA 4.0.
