Signification
Expressing uncertainty or possibility.
Contexte culturel
Using 'Có lẽ' is a sign of 'khiêm tốn' (humility). Even if you are an expert, using a softener makes you more likable. In meetings, 'Có lẽ' is used to avoid saying a flat 'No' to a superior, which would be seen as disrespectful. Northerners tend to use 'Có lẽ' more frequently in formal speech, while Southerners might use 'Chắc là' or 'Nghe vẻ' in casual settings. Poets use 'Có lẽ' to create a sense of 'mơ hồ' (ambiguity/dreaminess), a highly valued aesthetic in Vietnamese art.
The 'Là' Trick
Add 'là' after 'có lẽ' if you are following it with a noun to sound more like a native speaker.
Tone Matters
Be careful with 'Lẻ' (hỏi tone). If you say 'Có lẻ' to a taxi driver, he'll think you're asking for change!
Signification
Expressing uncertainty or possibility.
The 'Là' Trick
Add 'là' after 'có lẽ' if you are following it with a noun to sound more like a native speaker.
Tone Matters
Be careful with 'Lẻ' (hỏi tone). If you say 'Có lẻ' to a taxi driver, he'll think you're asking for change!
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with 'Có lẽ' or 'Chắc chắn'.
Trời đang nắng to, ______ hôm nay không mưa đâu.
If the sun is shining brightly, you are more certain it won't rain.
Which sentence is the most polite way to disagree?
A: Tôi nghĩ Hà Nội đẹp hơn Sài Gòn.
'Có lẽ' softens the disagreement, making it polite.
Match the Vietnamese phrase with its English equivalent.
1. Có lẽ | 2. Chắc chắn | 3. Hình như
These represent different levels of certainty.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesTrời đang nắng to, ______ hôm nay không mưa đâu.
If the sun is shining brightly, you are more certain it won't rain.
A: Tôi nghĩ Hà Nội đẹp hơn Sài Gòn.
'Có lẽ' softens the disagreement, making it polite.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These represent different levels of certainty.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
3 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business meeting.
No, it usually comes at the beginning or after the subject.
'Có lẽ' is 'maybe' (a guess). 'Có thể' is 'can' or 'possible' (capability/possibility).
Expressions liées
Chắc là
similarProbably
Hình như
similarIt seems like
Có thể
similarCan/May
Dường như
synonymSeemingly
