好词典

perhaps

UK /pəˈhæps/US /pərˈhæps/

词源

源自拉丁语 'per'(通过)和 'haps'(机会),16世纪进入英语,原意为“通过机会”或“可能”。

adverb

❶ 表示不确定或可能性,相当于中文的“也许”“可能”,用于表达说话者对某事的猜测或委婉建议。

“Perhaps we should leave early to avoid traffic.”

(也许我们应该早点出发,避开交通拥堵。)

“She is late—perhaps her train was delayed.”

(她迟到了——可能是她的火车晚点了。)

同义词:maybe, possibly, potentially

常见短语

perhaps not — 委婉表达否定或不同意,相当于“可能不”或“大概不行”。

“Can we finish by today? Perhaps not.”

(我们今天能完成吗?可能不行。)

perhaps so — 表示部分同意或认可,相当于“也许是这样”或“有可能”。

“Is this the best solution? Perhaps so.”

(这是最好的解决方案吗?也许是的。)