vielleicht
maybe, perhaps · used to make a polite suggestion or request
Vielleicht means 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. It expresses uncertainty or possibility. Germans use it very frequently in everyday speech, often to soften statements or make suggestions.
What vielleicht means
- maybe, perhaps — expressing possibility or uncertainty
- used to make a polite suggestion or request — softening a proposal
Heard in real German videos
Lines where vielleicht was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Vielleicht hat Tadeus ja recht.Maybe Tadeus is right.
- Vielleicht sollten wir ein Feuer anmachen.Maybe we should start a fire.
Example sentences
- Vielleicht regnet es morgen.Maybe it will rain tomorrow.
- Vielleicht sollten wir früher gehen.Maybe we should leave earlier.
- Ich komme vielleicht etwas später.I might come a bit later.
Common phrases
- vielleicht malmaybe sometime
- na vielleicht!well, maybe! (expressing doubt)
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers sometimes confuse 'vielleicht' with 'eventuell' or 'möglicherweise', but 'vielleicht' is the most common and neutral way to say 'maybe'.
Don’t confuse it with
- eventuell — Eventuell is more formal and often implies a lower probability than vielleicht.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 'vielleicht' and 'kann sein'?
'Vielleicht' is an adverb meaning 'maybe', while 'kann sein' is a phrase meaning 'could be' or 'it's possible'. They can often be used interchangeably, but 'kann sein' is more colloquial.
Does 'vielleicht' change the word order in a sentence?
Yes, when 'vielleicht' is placed at the beginning of a sentence, the verb comes immediately after it, as in 'Vielleicht kommt er.'