
好词典

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”。
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。)
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。)