1. used to say that something may be true or may happen, but you are not certain
可能，也許（表示不確定）
Perhaps it will rain later.
也許晚點會下雨。
She's late—perhaps she missed the bus.
她遲到了——也許她錯過了公車。
Perhaps Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
perhaps
adverb
快速理解
What does "Perhaps" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Perhaps"?
用於表達不確定性、可能性或提出禮貌建議的副詞。
- 1
表示不確定
EN: Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.
翻譯: 明天或許會下雨。
- 2
表示可能性
EN: Perhaps she forgot about the meeting.
翻譯: 她可能忘了開會。
- 3
用於禮貌建議
EN: Perhaps you should try again later.
翻譯: 或許你應該稍後再試試看。
- 4
用於委婉糾正或不同意
EN: Perhaps you are mistaken about the time.
翻譯: 關於時間，或許你弄錯了。
小提醒：「perhaps」比「maybe」稍正式，但比「possibly」常用。在口語中，三者常可互換，但書寫時「perhaps」更常見。
發音（How to Pronounce "Perhaps" in English）
How to pronounce "Perhaps" in English?"Perhaps" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Perhaps" from YouTube Videos
Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford Commencement Address
Stanford
“Let me give you one example. Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country.”
(1 out of 170)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Perhaps"?How does "Perhaps" change by context?
2. used when making a polite request, offer, or suggestion
或許，可否（用於禮貌地提出請求、提議或建議）
Perhaps you could help me with this box?
或許你可以幫我搬這個箱子？
Perhaps we should leave now.
或許我們現在該離開了。
3. used to give an opinion that you are not sure about, or to make a statement less definite
大概，說不定（用於表達不確定的意見或使陳述不那麼絕對）
This is perhaps his best novel.
這大概是他最好的小說。
Perhaps the most important factor is cost.
說不定最重要的因素是成本。
4. used to show that a number or amount is approximate
大約，可能（表示數字或數量是大概的）
The journey will take perhaps three hours.
這趟旅程大約需要三小時。
There were perhaps fifty people at the meeting.
會議上大概有五十個人。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Perhaps"?How to make natural sentences with "Perhaps"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| perhaps + clause | 或許，可能 | Perhaps we should leave now. (或許我們現在該離開了。) |
| perhaps + to + V (infinitive) | 也許（用於較正式或書面語） | The solution, perhaps to be found in the appendix, remains unclear. (解決方法，也許能在附錄中找到，目前仍不清楚。) |
| perhaps + not | 也許不 | "Will you come tomorrow?" "Perhaps not." (「你明天會來嗎？」「也許不會。」) |
| perhaps + the + superlative adjective | 也許是最…的 | This is perhaps the best movie I've seen this year. (這也許是我今年看過最棒的電影。) |
| perhaps + modal verb (could/might/should) | 或許可以/可能/應該 | You could perhaps try a different approach. (你或許可以試試不同的方法。) |
| perhaps + at the beginning of a sentence | 也許（置於句首） | Perhaps it will rain later. (也許晚點會下雨。) |
| perhaps + as a parenthetical | 或許（作為插入語） | The meeting, perhaps, could have been shorter. (這場會議，或許，可以開得短一點。) |
用法說明
How is "Perhaps" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Perhaps"?
perhaps 與 maybe 的語氣差異
- perhaps 語氣較為正式、客觀，常用於書面語或較慎重的口語表達，暗示經過一定思考。
- maybe 語氣較為隨意、口語化，在日常對話中使用頻率更高，思考的痕跡較輕。
- 在表示可能性時，兩者常可互換，但 perhaps 給人的感覺更不確定、更猶豫一些。
- 在正式建議或提出方案時，使用 perhaps 會顯得更有禮貌、更委婉。 EN: Perhaps we should reconsider the initial plan. 翻譯: 或許我們應該重新考慮最初的計畫。
EN:Maybe we can grab a coffee later?
翻譯:待會我們也許可以喝杯咖啡？
EN:The meeting will perhaps be postponed until next week.
翻譯:會議或許會延遲到下周。
EN:Maybe it will rain tomorrow.
翻譯:明天也許會下雨。
總結建議
在正式或書面場合尋求委婉表達時，優先使用 perhaps，而在日常輕鬆對話中，maybe 是更自然的選擇。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Perhaps" and similar words?How to choose "Perhaps" vs alternatives?
perhaps vs maybe
「perhaps」較正式且多用於書面語或正式場合；「maybe」則更口語、隨意。
perhaps vs possibly
「perhaps」暗示主觀推測或禮貌建議；「possibly」強調客觀可能性或與能力相關。
perhaps vs probably
「perhaps」表示可能性較低或純屬猜測；「probably」表示可能性很高，接近「很可能」。
口語用法
How is "Perhaps" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Perhaps"?
引述
用於引述他人的話或想法，表示不確定其真實性，帶有「據說」、「好像」的語氣。 EN: "Perhaps she said she'd be late," he mentioned casually. 翻譯: 「她好像說過她會晚點到，」他隨口提道。
EN:I heard perhaps they're moving offices next month.
翻譯:我聽說他們下個月或許要搬辦公室了。
語氣強調
在句首或句中使用，以緩和斷言，使語氣聽起來更禮貌、不那麼絕對。 EN: Perhaps we should consider another option. 翻譯: 或許我們應該考慮另一個選項。
EN:That is, perhaps, the best solution we have.
翻譯:這或許是我們目前最好的解決方案了。
停頓填充
在對話中作為思考時的填充詞，為說話者爭取時間，同時暗示接下來的話帶有不確定性。 EN: Well, perhaps... let me think about it for a moment. 翻譯: 嗯，或許…讓我想一下。
EN:The answer is... perhaps... not so straightforward.
翻譯:答案…或許…沒那麼簡單。
注意：在正式書寫（如學術論文、商業報告）中，應避免將 "perhaps" 用作停頓填充詞。建議使用更確定的詞彙，如 "possibly"、"it may be that"，或直接重組句子以表達不確定性，使行文更為嚴謹。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Perhaps"?What fixed phrases with "Perhaps" should I remember?
perhaps most
perhaps + superlative adjective/adverb
也許最...
perhaps because
perhaps + because + clause
也許是因為
perhaps even
perhaps + even + comparative/noun phrase
或許甚至
perhaps the best
perhaps + the + superlative adjective + noun
也許是最好的
perhaps not
perhaps + not
也許不
perhaps more importantly
perhaps + comparative adverb phrase
也許更重要的是
perhaps due to
perhaps + due to + noun phrase
也許是由於
or perhaps
or perhaps
或者也許
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Perhaps"?Which "Perhaps" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×Perhaps I will go to the party, but I'm not sure.
✓I might go to the party, but I'm not sure.
在表達不確定性時，'perhaps' 和 'might' 意思相近，但 'perhaps' 通常用於句首來表達可能性，而 'might' 則直接修飾動詞。當句子已經有 'but I'm not sure' 這種明確表示不確定的短語時，使用 'might' 會更自然，避免重複表達不確定性。
×Do you perhaps know where the station is?
✓Do you happen to know where the station is?
'Perhaps' 是副詞，用於表達可能性或推測，通常不用於疑問句中直接修飾動詞來表示禮貌的詢問。在疑問句中想禮貌地詢問對方是否知道某事，應使用 'happen to' 或直接詢問。'Perhaps' 用於疑問句時，通常置於句首，表示對整個問題可能性的推測。
×I think perhaps he is right.
✓I think he might be right.
'I think' 已經表達了個人觀點，後面再直接加上 'perhaps' 會顯得冗餘且不自然。在這種結構中，使用 'might' 來表達可能性更為流暢。'Perhaps' 更常獨立使用於句首，或與 'will', 'should' 等情態動詞搭配。
×This is perhaps the best movie.
✓This is probably the best movie.
當要表達一個相當有信心的推測或高可能性時，使用 'probably'（很可能）比 'perhaps'（或許）更準確。'Perhaps' 暗示的可能性程度較低，約為 50% 或更低，而 'probably' 則暗示超過 50% 的可能性。在陳述個人強烈看法時，'probably' 更合適。
×I can't perhaps finish the work today.
✓I might not be able to finish the work today.
'Perhaps' 不能與表示能力的 'can' 或 'cannot' 直接搭配來表達「可能不能」。正確的用法是使用 'might not be able to' 來表達未來可能無法做某事。'Perhaps' 可以放在句首，後面接一個完整的否定句，但不能插入在情態動詞和主要動詞之間。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Perhaps"?What are tense/participle forms of "Perhaps"?