🤔

How to Say ‘Maybe’ in Portuguese

Se calhar

seh kah-LYAR

[seh kah-LYAR]

💬 Usage Tip: Taken word by word it looks like "if it fits", but as a fixed pair it simply means "maybe". It never changes shape.

🇵🇹 In Portugal: This is the everyday Portuguese way to say "maybe". You'll hear it far more than talvez, and it softens a suggestion so it doesn't sound like a correction.

Phrase Breakdown

[seh]

(part of 'se calhar')

With 'calhar' forms 'se calhar', meaning maybe.

Example

Se calhar chove.

Maybe it'll rain.

calhar

[kah-LYAR]

(part of 'se calhar': maybe)

Verb 'to happen by chance'; with 'se' it means maybe.

Example

Se calhar ela não vem.

Maybe she isn't coming.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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