có lẽ
[kɔ˧˦ lɛ˦ˀ˥]
The Vietnamese phrase for 'maybe' is có lẽ.
có lẽ is an adverb used to indicate a lack of certainty when making a statement.
Meaning: indicating a lack of certainty (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of có (to have) and lẽ (reason/logic/truth), which literally suggests 'there is a reason/possibility'.
Which one should you use?
có lẽ expresses a lack of certainty (maybe), whereas có thể is more commonly used to express ability or a higher degree of possibility (can/may/might). If you want to express a higher degree of certainty than có lẽ, you can use chắc là to mean 'probably' or 'most likely'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, có lẽ typically functions as an adverb and is often placed at the beginning of the clause it modifies.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, saying có lẽ can be a polite way to soften a 'no' or a refusal to avoid direct confrontation.
- The word lẽ in có lẽ is a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of the Chinese character 理, which means 'reason' or 'logic'.
- While có lẽ indicates a lack of certainty, adding the particle nhỉ at the end of the sentence turns the 'maybe' into a gentle question for the listener's agreement.
Examples in context
- Có lẽ bạn nên hỏi anh ấy.Maybe you should ask him.This example shows how to use có lẽ to suggest an action.Tatoeba #9095385 by dotheduyet1999, translation #3920131 by CH
- Có lẽ nó không tệ đến thế.Maybe it's not that bad.This example shows how to use có lẽ to qualify a statement about a situation.Tatoeba #9741761 by dotheduyet1999, translation #4017071 by CK
- Có lẽ chúng ta nên hỏi Tom.Maybe we should ask Tom.This example shows how to use có lẽ at the start of a clause to suggest a course of action.Tatoeba #9712745 by dotheduyet1999, translation #7980054 by CK
- Có lẽ chúng ta nên tìm hiểu thêmMaybe we should learn more
- Có thể nào họ đã quên mất?Maybe they forgot?
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Hùng are discussing the weather outdoors.
- MaiTrời có lẽ sẽ mưa đấy.Maybe it will rain.
- HùngAnh thấy mây đen rồi.I see dark clouds already.
- MaiChúng ta có nên về không?Should we head back?
- HùngCó lẽ là nên.Maybe we should.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “maybe” translations and entries có lẽ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries có, có lẽ, lẽ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
