说不定 shuōbudìng

说不定(shuōbudìng)means “说不定: maybe, perhaps; who knows (it might well be that…)”. 说不定 expresses a guess: 'maybe, perhaps, it could well be that…'. Formation: 说不定 + 小句(也许、可能)

说不定: maybe, perhaps; who knows (it might well be that…)

HSK4

Formation

说不定 + 小句(也许、可能)

Explanation

说不定 expresses a guess: 'maybe, perhaps, it could well be that…'. Literally 'can't say for sure', it leans slightly toward the possibility being true, often with a hopeful or speculative tone. It can start the sentence or come after the subject, and often pairs with 会 or 能.

Examples

说不定 能成功。
nǐ shuōbudìng néng chénggōng.
You might just succeed.
说不定 明天会下雨。
shuōbudìng míngtiān huì xià yǔ.
Maybe it'll rain tomorrow.

Note

Slightly more hopeful/likely than 也许. Can begin the sentence.

FAQ

说不定 — what does it mean and how is it used?

说不定: maybe, perhaps; who knows (it might well be that…). 说不定 expresses a guess: 'maybe, perhaps, it could well be that…'. Literally 'can't say for sure', it leans slightly toward the possibility being true, often with a hopeful or speculative tone. It can start the sentence or come after the subject, and often pairs with 会 or 能.

说不定 — how do you form it?

说不定 + 小句(也许、可能)

说不定 — any usage notes?

Slightly more hopeful/likely than 也许. Can begin the sentence.

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