How do you say "Maybe" in French?

"Maybe" in French is "Peut-être". This phrase is commonly used in France.

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How to Say ‘Maybe’ in French

Q: What does "Peut-être" mean in English?

"Peut-être" means "Maybe" in English. Usage tip: The hyphen matters here: [peut-être] means "maybe," while [être] alone means "to be."

Peut-être

puh et-ruh

[puh et-ruh]

💬 Usage Tip: The hyphen matters here: [peut-être] means "maybe," while [être] alone means "to be."

Phrase Breakdown

Peut

[puh]

can

Indicates capability or possibility.

Example

Il peut arriver à temps.

He can arrive on time.

être

[et-ruh]

Used to indicate existence or a state of being.

Example

Il veut être à Paris.

He wants to be in Paris.

Guides for French learners

“Do You Speak English?” in French, and What to Say When You Don't Speak FrenchHow to say “do you speak English?” in French politely, what you'll hear back, and the phrases for “I don't speak French” and “can you repeat that?”, with audio.The Best App to Learn French: An Honest ComparisonDuolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Busuu, italki and PrettyFluent compared for learning French: what each is best at, how you pay, and which fits your goal.

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