Signification
Expressing uncertainty.
Contexte culturel
Ukrainians often use 'можливо' to avoid giving a direct 'no', which can be seen as impolite in social settings. In Ukrainian business, 'можливо' is used to signal that a proposal is being considered but requires more data or approval. When talking about future success, some Ukrainians might use 'можливо' followed by 'тьху-тьху' (spitting over the shoulder) to avoid jinxing it. In Telegram or Viber, 'можливо' is a very common response to indicate a 'soft yes' or 'flexible maybe'.
The 'Safe' Answer
If you don't understand a question fully but it sounds like a 'yes/no' question about the future, 'можливо' is a safe, polite placeholder.
Avoid 'є'
Never say 'Це є можливо'. Just say 'Це можливо'. Ukrainian drops the 'to be' verb in the present tense.
Signification
Expressing uncertainty.
The 'Safe' Answer
If you don't understand a question fully but it sounds like a 'yes/no' question about the future, 'можливо' is a safe, polite placeholder.
Avoid 'є'
Never say 'Це є можливо'. Just say 'Це можливо'. Ukrainian drops the 'to be' verb in the present tense.
Comma usage
If you are writing an email, always put a comma after 'Можливо' if it starts the sentence. It makes you look very educated.
Softening 'No'
If you want to say 'no' to an invitation but feel bad, say 'Можливо, іншим разом' (Maybe another time).
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to express 'Maybe' in a neutral way.
— Ти прийдеш на вечірку? — ______.
'Можливо' is the correct word for 'maybe'. 'Можна' means 'allowed'.
Fill in the blank to say 'Maybe it will rain tomorrow.'
______, завтра буде дощ.
'Можливо' is used here as a sentence adverb to express uncertainty about the weather.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are not sure if you can finish the work by Friday.
Using 'можливо' expresses that the task is within the realm of possibility but not guaranteed.
Complete the dialogue with the most polite option.
A: Можна взяти вашу ручку? B: Так, звісно. A: Ви прийдете на збори? B: ______.
'Можливо' is more polite and softer than a direct 'No' or 'I don't know'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Probability Scale
Banque d exercices
4 exercices— Ти прийдеш на вечірку? — ______.
'Можливо' is the correct word for 'maybe'. 'Можна' means 'allowed'.
______, завтра буде дощ.
'Можливо' is used here as a sentence adverb to express uncertainty about the weather.
Situation: You are not sure if you can finish the work by Friday.
Using 'можливо' expresses that the task is within the realm of possibility but not guaranteed.
A: Можна взяти вашу ручку? B: Так, звісно. A: Ви прийдете на збори? B: ______.
'Можливо' is more polite and softer than a direct 'No' or 'I don't know'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Можливо' is more formal and standard. 'Може' is very common in spoken, casual Ukrainian. They are interchangeable in most casual contexts.
No. Use 'можна' for permission. 'Можливо' only expresses that something might happen.
It can go at the beginning, middle, or end. If it's in the middle, it's usually surrounded by commas.
Yes, it is very polite. It is often used to avoid being too direct or blunt.
Just add 'не' to the front: 'неможливо'.
No, it is an adverb and stays the same regardless of who or what you are talking about.
Yes, frequently. It helps in negotiations to express that something is feasible without making a final commitment.
'Мабуть' is the most common synonym in daily life, though it implies a bit more of a personal guess.
Yes, you can say 'Можливо, він був там' (Maybe he was there).
Yes, it's very common and perfectly natural.
Expressions liées
може бути
synonymit can be
ймовірно
similarprobably / likely
мабуть
similarprobably
напевно
contrastmost likely / for sure
неможливо
contrastimpossible
можливість
builds onopportunity / possibility
