Quizás usually means perhaps, maybe or possibly in English. The best choice depends on tone and sentence structure. The Spanish form quizá, without final s, has the same meaning.
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Perhaps, maybe or possibly?
| English choice | Typical tone | Example |
|---|---|---|
| maybe | Common and conversational | Maybe she is already at the station. |
| perhaps | Neutral, sometimes slightly more formal | Perhaps we should check the address. |
| possibly | Emphasizes that something is possible | Could they possibly arrive today? |
“Quizás venga mañana” can become “Maybe she’ll come tomorrow” or “Perhaps she’ll come tomorrow.” A word-for-word translation is not required; natural English word order and context decide the final sentence.
Position in the sentence
Maybe often appears at the beginning: “Maybe they forgot.” Perhaps is flexible: “Perhaps they forgot” and “They have perhaps forgotten” are both possible, though the first is more direct. Possibly often sits near the verb or appears in questions: “It could possibly work.”
Do not confuse maybe, one word, with may be, two words. Compare “Maybe the key is upstairs” with “The key may be upstairs.” The meaning is similar, but the grammar differs.
Certainty and evidence
All three translations express uncertainty, but context changes the strength. “Maybe” can introduce a casual suggestion: “Maybe take a short break.” “Perhaps” can soften disagreement: “Perhaps there is another way to interpret the result.” “Possibly” can emphasize a low or open possibility: “The package could possibly arrive this evening.”
What happens to the Spanish subjunctive?
Spanish may use quizás with an indicative or subjunctive form depending on how the speaker presents the possibility. English does not copy that verb contrast directly. It usually expresses uncertainty through words such as may, might, perhaps and maybe.
Quizás está en casa. Maybe he is at home.
Quizás esté en casa. He may be at home.
The English versions can overlap. Translation preserves the intended degree and tone of uncertainty, not the visible shape of the Spanish verb.
Short dialogue
Ana: ¿Vendrá Luis a la reunión?
Mateo: Quizás. Todavía no ha confirmado.
Ana: Maybe. He hasn’t confirmed yet.
In this conversational setting, maybe sounds natural. Perhaps would also be correct but slightly more measured.
Common translation problems
Avoid writing both an uncertainty adverb and an unnecessary literal structure. “Maybe perhaps he comes” repeats the same idea. Use one clear expression: “Maybe he’ll come” or “He might come.”
Also avoid assuming that actually means actualmente. This is unrelated to quizás, but it is a common example of why context matters more than similar spelling.
Practice
Translate these according to tone: “Quizás podamos cambiar la fecha.” “Quizá no sea necesario.” Natural options include “Maybe we can change the date” and “Perhaps it won’t be necessary.” Other versions with might or may can also work.
The Real Academia Española entry for quizá confirms the adverb’s meaning and variant form. Use a bilingual dictionary for possible translations, then compare examples in a learner dictionary. For a broader English estimate, take the Global English Test.
