maybe

peut-être

Indique que quelque chose peut être vrai ou se produire.

En anglais simple : Used to say that something might be true or might happen.

• Maybe she is at home.
• We can maybe visit you tomorrow.
• Maybe I left my keys in the car.

Synonymes : perhaps, possibly

Expressions courantes : maybe tomorrow, maybe next time, maybe you should, maybe try again

certainement

Avec un ton hésitant, laisse entendre que quelque chose est en réalité assez évident ou certain.

En anglais simple : Used with an uncertain tone to suggest that something is actually quite clear.

• That was maybe a little rude!
• Spending all our rent money was maybe not your smartest move.
• You were maybe just slightly unfair to her, wouldn’t you say?

Expressions courantes : maybe just slightly, maybe a little

peut-être

Une réponse qui ne dit clairement ni oui ni non.

En anglais simple : An answer that does not clearly say yes or no.

• Her answer was a maybe.
• We received three yeses and two maybes.
• I need a decision, not another maybe.

Expressions courantes : a definite maybe, answer with maybe

possibilité

Quelque chose qui pourrait se produire, sans que ce soit certain.

En anglais simple : Something that might happen but is not certain.

• The trip is still a maybe.
• A promotion next year remains a big maybe.
• Too many maybes make it hard to plan.

Synonymes : possibility

Contraires : certainty

Expressions courantes : a big maybe, still a maybe