quizás
/kiˈθas/
The Spanish phrase quizás means perhaps or maybe.
The word quizás is used to express that something is possible but not certain, commonly translated into English as 'perhaps' or 'maybe'.
Which one should you use?
While quizás is the standard form, the variant quizá (without the accent on the final 's') is also a common and accepted version used in many Spanish-speaking regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variant quizá is common throughout many different Spanish-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use quizás to express doubt or uncertainty, the verb that follows it often shifts from the indicative mood to the subjunctive mood.
How do you pronounce it?
/kiˈθas/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish dialects, particularly in the Caribbean, speakers may use capaz to mean 'maybe', which normally means 'capable' in standard Spanish.
- Using quizás with the subjunctive mood can actually make a statement sound more polite and less blunt in certain social contexts, rather than just expressing doubt.
- While quizás expresses doubt, Spanish has a specific 'probability' construction using the future tense that conveys a similar meaning to 'maybe' without using a separate adverb.
Examples in context
- Tal vez llegue tardePerhaps I will arrive late
- A lo mejor vienen a la fiestaMaybe they are coming to the party
- Tal vez vayamos al cineMaybe we'll go to the movies
- Puede ser que lleguemos tardeWe might arrive late
- A lo mejor no tiene tiempo para llamarMaybe he doesn't have time to call
- Quizás algún díaPerhaps someday
- Quizás algún día lo comprendasPerhaps you will understand it someday
- Quizás más tardeMaybe later
- Quizás más tarde pueda ayudarteMaybe I can help you later
- Quizás inclusoPerhaps even
- Quizás incluso vengan más personasPerhaps even more people will come
- Tal vez podamos ir mañana, quizás.Maybe we can go tomorrow, perhaps.
- Quizás ella no recibió mi mensaje.Perhaps she did not receive my message.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are deciding what to eat.
- Alejandro¿Quieres comer pizza hoy, Sofía?Do you want to eat pizza today, Sofía?
- SofíaNo sé, quizás prefiera una ensalada.I don't know, maybe I prefer a salad.
- AlejandroHay un restaurante nuevo cerca.There is a new restaurant nearby.
- SofíaEstá bien, vamos a verlo.Okay, let's go see it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry quizás, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
