possivelmente
/poˌsi.vewˈmẽ.t͡ʃi/
The English word "possibly" is translated into Portuguese as possivelmente.
possivelmente is an adverb used to indicate that a proposition may be true or false.
Meaning: adverb indicating that a proposition may be true or false (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed from the adjective possível (possible) plus the suffix -mente, which is the Portuguese equivalent of the English suffix -ly used to form adverbs.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, porventura can be used in formal contexts to mean possibly.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /poˌsi.vewˈmẽ.tʃi/. It has 5 syllables, with the stress on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- If a speaker says possivelmente with a rising intonation at the end, it can transform from a statement of possibility into a skeptical or sarcastic question.
- If you use porventura in a sentence in Portugal, you sound like a character from a 19th-century classic novel rather than a modern person.
- The suffix -mente used in possivelmente is used so often that in some poetic or literary texts, authors drop it entirely and use the adjective possível as an adverb.
Examples in context
- Ela possivelmente sabe a resposta.She might possibly know the answer.This example shows how to use possivelmente to express that someone might know something.Tatoeba #891350 by brauliobezerra, translation #890923 by CK
- Possivelmente o Tom não fará isso.Possibly Tom won't do that.This example uses possivelmente to suggest that someone might not do something.Tatoeba #7225323 by Ricardo14, translation #6229791 by CK
- O que possivelmente poderia te ajudar?What could I possibly help you with?This example uses possivelmente to ask about potential help.Tatoeba #8202063 by josivangoncalves, translation #8202065 by josivangoncalves
- Talvez eu vá ao evento amanhã.Possibly, I will go to the event tomorrow.
- Ela talvez esteja atrasada para a reunião.She might possibly be late for the meeting.
- Possivelmente choverá mais tarde.It might possibly rain later.
- Ele possivelmente chegará atrasado.He will possibly arrive late.
- Talvez a gente saia mais tarde.We might possibly go out later.
- Ele talvez não possa ir à festa.He possibly can't go to the party.
- Capaz de ela não saber dessa novidade.It's possible she might not know about this news.
- Acho que capaz ele não vem mais.I think he possibly won't come anymore.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Juliana are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- FelipeVocê virá à festa amanhã?Will you come to the party tomorrow?
- JulianaPossivelmente, se eu terminar o trabalho cedo.Possibly, if I finish my work early.
- FelipeSeria ótimo ver você lá.It would be great to see you there.
- JulianaEu vou tentar ir.I will try to go.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry possivelmente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
