Chinese word

多半

Pronunciation

Pinyinduō bàn

Meaning

  • adverbprobably

Example

他多半不会来。tā duō bàn bú huì lái

He probably won't come.

Illustration for 多半 (probably)

More examples

明天多半会下雨。míng tiān duō bàn huì xià yǔ

It will probably rain tomorrow.

Core concept

The balance tips to one side, making that outcome the expected one.

Common phrases

  • 多半是duō bàn shì

    probably be

  • 多半会duō bàn huì

    probably will

  • 多半因为duō bàn yīn wèi

    probably because

Similar words

可能kě néng: Indicates a possibility without judging how likely it is.
大概dà gài: Expresses a general estimate that something will probably happen or be true.
也许yé xǔ: Presents an uncertain possibility in a cautious way.
或许huò xǔ: Makes a gentle guess that something may happen or be true.

Definition in Chinese

表示在大多数情况下，某事很可能发生，或者某种情况占优势。biǎo shì zài dà duō shù qíng kuàng xià mǒu shì hěn kě néng fā shēng huò zhě móu zhǒng qíng kuàng zhàn yōu shì

Word origin

多 (duō, "many") combined with 半 (bàn, "half") gives the image of more than half, which naturally extends from a majority to a probable result.

Usage tips

  • This word marks a considered expectation rather than certainty, so it fits predictions that remain open to another result.

Other meanings

  • majoritynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word