Definition

1. Adverbial phrase:

   • Perhaps / Maybe: Used to express uncertainty or possibility about a situation or statement. It indicates that something is not certain but could be true or could happen.
   • Sometimes / At times: Used to indicate that an event or situation occurs occasionally, but not always or regularly.

2. Adverbial phrase (in mitigating statements):

   • I'm afraid / It's possible that: Used to soften a statement, often when delivering news that is potentially negative, disappointing, or corrective, implying a degree of regret or hesitation.

Usage Examples

• Expressing possibility:

  • Ngày mai có khi trời sẽ mưa. (Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.)
  • Cô ấy có khi đã về nhà rồi. (Maybe she has already gone home.)

• Indicating occasional occurrence:

  • Có khi tôi thích ăn đồ chua. (Sometimes I like to eat sour food.)
  • Anh ấy có khi rất vui tính. (He can be very funny at times.)

• Softening a statement:

  • Bây giờ mới đi thì có khi hơi muộn. (To leave only now is, I'm afraid, a bit late.)
  • Kế hoạch này có khi không khả thi. (This plan might not be feasible, I'm afraid.)

Advanced Usage

• Used at the beginning or middle of a clause to cast doubt or suggest an alternative viewpoint.
  • Có khi chúng ta nên suy nghĩ lại. (Perhaps we should reconsider.)
  • Chúng ta, có khi, đã hiểu lầm nhau. (We may have misunderstood each other.)

Variants and Related Words

• Có lẽ (adverbial phrase): Probably, likely. Expresses a higher degree of certainty than "có khi."

  • Cô ấy có lẽ sẽ đồng ý. (She will probably agree.)

• Đôi khi (adverb): Sometimes, occasionally. Used specifically for occasional occurrence, not for expressing "perhaps."

  • Đôi khi tôi thích ở một mình. (Sometimes I like to be alone.)

Synonyms

• Perhaps: Used when you are not certain.
• Maybe: Used to express possibility.
• Sometimes: On some occasions but not always.
• I'm afraid: Used to politely introduce a disappointing or negative opinion.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Có khi không chừng: An emphatic form meaning "it very well might be that..." or "for all one knows."

  • Có khi không chừng anh ta đã quên mất. (For all we know, he might have forgotten.)

• Biết đâu có khi: A rhetorical phrase meaning "who knows, maybe..."

  • Biết đâu có khi chúng ta sẽ thắng. (Who knows, maybe we will win.)

1. I'm afraid
   • bây giờ mới đi thì có khi hơi muộn
     to leave only now, is I'm afraid a bit late
2. Sometimes