Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'možda' for 50/50 possibility and 'vjerojatno' for high probability without changing the verb's mood.
- Place 'možda' at the start or before the verb for 'maybe' (e.g., Možda on zna).
- Use 'vjerojatno' for 'probably' to show higher confidence (e.g., Vjerojatno ćemo doći).
- Avoid adding 'da' after 'možda' unless you are making a suggestion.
- Clitics (short verbs/pronouns) must still follow the second-position rule.
Common Adverbs of Doubt
| Adverb | English | Certainty Level | Typical Position |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Možda
|
Maybe
|
50%
|
Start or before verb
|
|
Vjerojatno
|
Probably
|
75-80%
|
Before verb
|
|
Valjda
|
Presumably/I guess
|
60% + Hope
|
Start or after subject
|
|
Moguće
|
Possibly
|
40%
|
Start or as 'Moguće je da'
|
|
Sumnjam
|
I doubt
|
10-20%
|
Start of sentence (verb)
|
Meanings
Words and phrases used to indicate the speaker's level of certainty regarding a statement.
Possibility
Expressing that something might happen (50% chance).
“Možda se vidimo kasnije.”
“On možda još uvijek spava.”
Probability
Expressing that something is likely to happen (70-80% chance).
“Vjerojatno će zakasniti na sastanak.”
“To je vjerojatno najbolja opcija.”
Skeptical Assumption
Expressing a hopeful or logical guess, often with a hint of 'I should hope so'.
“Valjda će sve biti u redu.”
“Valjda si donio ključeve?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative Doubt
|
Možda + Verb
|
Možda spava.
|
|
Negative Doubt
|
Možda + Ne + Verb
|
Možda ne zna.
|
|
High Probability
|
Vjerojatno + Verb
|
Vjerojatno dolazi.
|
|
Question Doubt
|
Znaš li možda...?
|
Znaš li možda gdje je on?
|
|
Clause-based Doubt
|
Sumnjam da + Clause
|
Sumnjam da će pasti.
|
|
Unlikely
|
Teško da + Clause
|
Teško da će uspjeti.
|
フォーマル度スペクトル
Postoji mogućnost da će on doći. (Discussing someone's arrival)
Vjerojatno će doći. (Discussing someone's arrival)
Možda dođe. (Discussing someone's arrival)
Valjda će uletit. (Discussing someone's arrival)
The Spectrum of Certainty
Low
- Sumnjam I doubt
- Teško da Hardly
Medium
- Možda Maybe
- Moguće Possible
High
- Vjerojatno Probably
- Valjda Presumably
Možda vs. Vjerojatno
Choosing the Right Word
Are you more than 50% sure?
Is it just a possibility?
Usage Contexts
Casual
- • Možda
- • Valjda
- • Ma da?
Formal
- • Vjerojatno
- • Moguće je
- • Pretpostavljam
レベル別の例文
Možda on pije kavu.
Maybe he is drinking coffee.
Vjerojatno je doma.
He is probably at home.
Možda ćemo ići u kino.
Maybe we will go to the cinema.
Vjerojatno su već jeli.
They have probably already eaten.
Valjda ćeš položiti ispit.
I guess/hope you will pass the exam.
Možda on ne želi doći.
Maybe he doesn't want to come.
Sumnjam da će se situacija brzo promijeniti.
I doubt that the situation will change quickly.
Vjerojatno bi bilo bolje da smo pitali za smjer.
It would probably have been better if we had asked for directions.
Teško da se ovakav propust može opravdati.
It is unlikely that such an omission can be justified.
Dvojbeno je hoće li projekt biti završen na vrijeme.
It is doubtful whether the project will be finished on time.
Možda i jest tako, no argumenti mu ne drže vodu.
It may well be so, but his arguments don't hold water.
Vjerojatnost da se to dogodi gotovo je zanemariva.
The probability of that happening is almost negligible.
間違えやすい
Learners confuse the adverb 'maybe' with the verb 'can/may'.
Both mean 'probably' but 'valjda' has a subjective, hopeful tone.
English 'I doubt' is often followed by 'if' or 'that'.
よくある間違い
Možda da on ide.
Možda on ide.
On možda je doma.
On je možda doma.
Možda ja mogu.
Možda mogu.
Možda oni su vidjeli.
Možda su oni vidjeli.
Vjerojatno da ćemo doći.
Vjerojatno ćemo doći.
Ja sumnjam on.
Sumnjam u njega.
Valjda on je zaboravio.
Valjda je zaboravio.
Možda bi on došao da je znao.
Možda bi došao da je znao.
To je moguće da se desi.
Moguće je da će se to dogoditi.
Sumnjam da on ne dođe.
Sumnjam da će doći.
Teško da on bi to uradio.
Teško da bi on to uradio.
Vjerojatno je da on zna.
Vjerojatno on zna.
文型パターン
Možda ___ (verb) ___ (object).
Vjerojatno će ___ (subject) ___ (verb).
Sumnjam da ___ (clause).
Real World Usage
Možda kasnim 5 min, sry.
Vjerojatno bih mogao početi idući mjesec.
Sutra je moguće grmljavinsko nevrijeme.
Sumnjam da su ti podaci točni.
The 'Da' Rule
Clitic Trap
Sounding Native
Smart Tips
Replace 'vjerojatno' with 'valjda' if you are making a logical assumption based on context.
Immediately place the clitic (je, su, će, bi) after 'Možda'.
Use 'Teško da' instead of 'Sumnjam da' to sound more emphatic.
発音
Stress on Možda
The stress is on the first syllable: MÔ-žda.
Vjerojatno Length
The 'vje' is a short rising accent. Don't over-elongate the 'o'.
Rising doubt
Možda? ↗
Conveys a question or high uncertainty.
暗記しよう
記憶術
M-O-Ž-D-A: My Opinion is Just a Doubtful Answer.
視覚的連想
Imagine a coin flipping in the air for 'Možda' (50/50), but a weather forecast showing 80% sun for 'Vjerojatno'.
Rhyme
Možda da, možda ne, tko to zna, neka kaže sve.
Story
Marko was unsure if it would rain. He said 'Možda' while looking at one cloud. When the sky turned grey, he said 'Vjerojatno'. When it started pouring, he said 'Sigurno' (Certainly).
Word Web
チャレンジ
Write three sentences about your plans for next weekend using 'možda', 'vjerojatno', and 'sumnjam da'.
文化メモ
Croatians often use 'možda' or 'vidjet ćemo' (we will see) as a polite way to say 'no' or to avoid commitment. It is culturally common to be non-committal to avoid direct confrontation.
In Dalmatia, 'ko zna' (who knows) is frequently used instead of 'možda' to express a relaxed, fatalistic view of the future.
'Možda' comes from the Old Church Slavonic 'mošti' (to be able), similar to the root of 'moći'.
会話のきっかけ
Što ćeš možda raditi ovog ljeta?
Sumnjaš li da će tehnologija zamijeniti ljude?
Vjerojatno si čuo za nove zakone, što misliš o njima?
日記のテーマ
よくある間違い
Test Yourself
___ ćemo sutra ići na izlet jer je prognoza dobra.
Find and fix the mistake:
Možda on je zaboravio ključeve.
___ da će on pobijediti jer nije trenirao.
Translate the sentence using 'Teško da'.
Answer starts with: Teš...
Score: /4
練習問題
4 exercises___ ćemo sutra ići na izlet jer je prognoza dobra.
Find and fix the mistake:
Možda on je zaboravio ključeve.
___ da će on pobijediti jer nije trenirao.
Translate the sentence using 'Teško da'.
Score: /4
よくある質問 (6)
Yes, but it's usually an afterthought. For example: 'On će doći, možda.' (He will come, maybe.)
'Možda' is an adverb (maybe), while 'moguće' is an adjective (possible). Use 'možda' to modify a verb and 'moguće je da' to start a clause.
This is used for suggestions. 'Možda da odemo u kino?' means 'Maybe we should go to the cinema?' It's not for simple statements of fact.
It is neutral. It's used in both news reports and daily conversation. For very formal settings, you might use 'postoji velika vjerojatnost'.
If followed by a person/object, use 'u' + Accusative: 'Sumnjam u njega'. If followed by an action, use 'da' + clause.
Use 'sigurno' or 'nipošto' (for negative 'definitely not').
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Tal vez / Quizás
No mood change in Croatian.
Peut-être
Clitic placement is stricter in Croatian.
Vielleicht / Wahrscheinlich
Clitics vs. Full Verb word order rules.
Tabun / ~kamoshirenai
Position in the sentence (Initial vs. Final).
Rubbamā / Yumkin
Interaction with clitic pronouns.
