maybe
/ˈmeɪbi/adverb
उच्चारण मेबी
शायद
Core word
- 1
used when you are not certain that something will happen or that something is true; perhaps
शायद
- Maybe she will come.
- Maybe we should leave early because the roads will be crowded.
- Maybe it will rain this evening, so take an umbrella.
+ 2 more examples
- I'm not sure if I can come; maybe next week.
- Maybe he missed the train, or maybe he forgot about the meeting.
Synonyms perhaps possibly perchance conceivably
Opposite definitely certainly
§Structures (grammar patterns) 4
Maybe + clause (sentence adverb)
Maybe is an adverb meaning perhaps. It usually begins a sentence or stands before the subject.
'Maybe' adverb है जिसका अर्थ शायद है। यह प्रायः वाक्य के आरंभ में या subject से पहले आता है।
- Maybe it will rain tomorrow.
- Maybe Radhika will join us later.
maybe as a short answer
Maybe can stand alone to answer a question when you are not sure.
अनिश्चित होने पर प्रश्न के उत्तर में 'maybe' अकेला भी आ सकता है।
- Will you come to the party? Maybe.
maybe + number (approximately)
Before a number, maybe means roughly or about, and it is informal.
संख्या के पहले 'maybe' का अर्थ लगभग होता है, और यह अनौपचारिक है।
- There were maybe fifty people at the meeting.
maybe vs. may be
Maybe is one word and is an adverb; may be is two words, a modal verb plus be. You can test by replacing with perhaps: only maybe works.
'Maybe' एक शब्द और adverb है; 'may be' दो शब्द हैं, modal verb और be। Perhaps से बदलकर जाँचिए: केवल maybe बदलता है।
- Maybe she is at home; she may be sleeping.
+Collocations 4
maybe + clause
maybe notmaybe latermaybe tomorrowmaybe somaybe next time
- Maybe next time, I will take the early train.
maybe + number
maybe tenmaybe a hundredmaybe a fewmaybe twice
- I have read maybe twenty books this year.
yes / no, maybe
yes, maybeno, maybeperhaps, maybeor maybe
- Take the bus, or maybe a taxi.
maybe I / we + verb (suggestion)
maybe I shouldmaybe we couldmaybe you canmaybe they will
- Maybe we could revise together tonight.
“More examples 5
- Maybe the train is late because of the fog.
शायद कोहरे के कारण गाड़ी देर से चल रही है।
- I'm not sure; maybe it was a Tuesday.
मुझे पक्का नहीं पता; शायद वह मंगलवार था।
- Maybe you should ask your teacher about this problem.
शायद आपको इस समस्या के बारे में अपने शिक्षक से पूछना चाहिए।
- He earns maybe ten thousand rupees a month.
वह महीने में शायद दस हज़ार रुपये कमाता है।
- Radhika said she would think about it, and maybe call back in the evening.
राधिका ने कहा कि वह इस पर सोचेगी, और शायद शाम को फ़ोन करेगी।
!Common mistakes 1
✗ She maybe late for the interview.
✓ She may be late for the interview.
Where a verb is needed, use may be as two words; maybe is only an adverb.
जहाँ verb चाहिए वहाँ 'may be' दो शब्दों में लिखें; 'maybe' केवल adverb है।
≠Thesaurus: which synonym when
These words all express uncertainty, but they differ in formality and position.
ये सभी शब्द अनिश्चितता व्यक्त करते हैं, पर औपचारिकता और स्थान में भिन्न हैं।
Informal; usually at the start of a clause or alone.
अनौपचारिक; प्रायः उपवाक्य के आरंभ में या अकेला।
- Maybe he forgot.
Slightly more formal; the same meaning and position.
थोड़ा अधिक औपचारिक; वही अर्थ और स्थान।
- Perhaps he forgot.
Often goes inside the sentence and suggests only a slim chance.
प्रायः वाक्य के भीतर आता है और कम संभावना का संकेत देता है।
- He could possibly have forgotten.