French · Greetings & Essentials
"Maybe" in French: peut-être
peut-être
Maybe in French is peut-être. Keep the hyphen. Peut-être que oui is maybe yes. For softer plans, French also uses on verra.
Weekend plans
Je viens peut-être samedi.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce peut-être
Say it
puh-TETR
/pø.tɛtʁ/
puh-TETR. Peu like "puh"; être reduced. Liaison can glue them.
"Maybe" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| peut-être | maybe / perhaps Default adverb. | Default adverb. |
| peut-être que | maybe (that) Before a clause. | Before a clause. |
| peut-être bien | maybe / quite possibly Slightly fuller. | Slightly fuller. |
| on verra | we'll see Soft maybe for plans. | Soft maybe for plans. |
How to use peut-être in real life
- 1Weekend plans
Je viens peut-être samedi.
I might come on Saturday.
Peut-être mid-sentence.
- 2Unsure answer
Peut-être. Je te dis ça ce soir.
Maybe. I'll tell you tonight.
Standalone reply.
- 3Guessing
Peut-être qu'il a raté le bus.
Maybe he missed the bus.
Peut-être que + clause.
Mistakes English speakers make with peut-être
Incorrect: Peut etre sans trait.
Correct: Peut-être.
Write peut-être with a hyphen.
Incorrect: Maybe je viens.
Correct: Peut-être que je viens. / Je viens peut-être.
Use peut-être, not English maybe.
Good to know
Peut-être softens commitments without a hard no. In texts, p-e appears as shorthand. For clearer doubt, je ne sais pas encore may be kinder than a vague peut-être.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Inviting someone out
ChatPal
Tu es libre demain soir ?
Are you free tomorrow evening?
You
Peut-être. Je regarde mon agenda.
Maybe. I'll check my calendar.
ChatPal
Dis-moi vite. Peut-être que je réserve une table.
Tell me soon. Maybe I'll book a table.
You
OK, je te confirme avant midi.
OK, I'll confirm before noon.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Maybe" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Maybe" in French
How do I say maybe?
Peut-être.
How do I say maybe he is late?
Peut-être qu'il est en retard.
Do I need the hyphen?
Yes: peut-être.
How do you pronounce peut-être?
Puh-TETR.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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