Korean word

어쩌면

Pronunciation

Romanizationeojjeomyeon

Meaning

  • adverbmaybe

Example

어쩌면 내일 비가 올지도 몰라.eo jjeo myeon nae il pi ga ol ji do mol la

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

Illustration for 어쩌면 (maybe)

More examples

어쩌면 네가 말한 대로일지도 몰라.eo jjeo myeon ne ga mal han tae ro il ji do mol la

Perhaps it is as you said.

Core concept

A small opening remains for an event that may or may not occur.

Common phrases

  • 어쩌면 사실일지도 몰라eo jjeo myeon sa si ril ji do mol la

    perhaps true

  • 어쩌면 방법이 있을지도 몰라eo jjeo myeon pang beo bi i sseul ji do mol la

    perhaps a way

Similar words

아마ama: A strong expectation suggests that an event is likely without treating it as certain.
혹시hokssi: A gentle question leaves room for uncertainty and does not sound pushy.
설마seolma: A surprised question expresses disbelief about a possibility that seems almost impossible.

Definition in Korean

어떤 일이 실제로 일어날 가능성이 있음을 가볍게 추측할 때 쓰는 부사로, 사실 여부를 확정하지 않고 가능성만 제시할 때 사용한다.eo tteon i ri sil je ro i reo nal kka neung seong i i sseu meul ka byeop kke chu cheu kal ttae sseu neun pu sa ro sa sil yeo bu reul hwak jjeong ha ji an ko ka neung seong man che si hal ttae sa yong han da

Word origin

Its history is generally connected with a shortened conditional expression built from an older word for "how" and a form meaning "if", though the exact development is not fully certain.

Usage tips

  • The pattern 어쩌면 (eojjeomyeon, "maybe") followed by a prediction is useful for making Korean guesses sound light and natural.

Opposites

Word lists with this word