jaa5 heoi2也許也许
Jyutpingjaa5 heoi2
Yaleyáh héui
Definition
Perhaps, maybe, or probably.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
Although 也許 is understood in Cantonese, it is a formal term borrowed from written Chinese. In everyday speech, native speakers almost exclusively use 或者 or 可能 to express uncertainty or possibility. Using 也許 in casual conversation can make you sound like you are reading from a textbook or a news report.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 也許 because it appears in dictionaries, but it sounds unnatural in spoken Cantonese. Stick to 或者 or 可能 to sound like a local.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
