Adverbs of doubt (quizás, tal vez, a lo mejor)

Predicting the future is never an exact science. When you want to express a degree of uncertainty, use adverbs of doubt.

This lesson covers three common expressions that mean "maybe" or "perhaps": a lo mejor, quizás, and tal vez.

A lo mejor (Maybe)

Despite literally meaning "at the best", a lo mejor is a very common way to say "maybe" in conversational Spanish. Follow it with a present tense verb (the present indicative).

Maybe your sign is very spiritual.
A lo mejor tu signo es muy espiritual.
Maybe she guesses the future.
A lo mejor ella adivina el futuro.

Quizás (Perhaps / Maybe)

Quizás is another great word to express probability. (You might also occasionally hear it without the final 's' as quizá, which means the exact same thing).

Perhaps the horoscope knows your destiny.
Quizás el horóscopo sabe tu destino.
Perhaps love is a spiritual destiny.
Quizás el amor es un destino espiritual.

Tal vez (Perhaps / Maybe)

Finally, tal vez is used interchangeably with quizás and a lo mejor. It also pairs easily with the present tense when making guesses about the present or near future.

Maybe we share the same sign.
Tal vez compartimos el mismo signo.
Perhaps that person attracts bad energy.
Tal vez esa persona atrae mala energía.