Talvez, Acho Que, and Ainda Não Sei: Express Uncertainty in Portuguese — Practice

Use talvez for “maybe”

Talvez means maybe or perhaps. It introduces a possibility without promising that it will happen. For a standard learner pattern, you can place it near the beginning of the sentence.

When talvez introduces an uncertain possibility, standard Portuguese commonly uses the subjunctive: Talvez eu vá amanhã (Maybe I'll go tomorrow). Notice the verb after talvez instead of translating the English word alone.

Use acho que to give a tentative opinion

Acho que means I think that or I believe that. It is useful when you have a view but do not want to present it as certain. In everyday Brazilian Portuguese, acho que is common and can soften a response.

Acho que não often means I don't think so: Acho que não vai dar tempo (I don't think there will be enough time). Listen to the complete sentence to understand whether the speaker is uncertain or simply disagreeing.

Say directly when you have not decided

Ainda não sei means I don't know yet. Ainda não decidi means I haven't decided yet. The word ainda signals that the answer may change; a plain não sei does not carry the same sense of waiting.

If someone needs a practical answer, add when you expect to know: Vou confirmar amanhã (I'll confirm tomorrow). That makes uncertainty easier to act on without giving a definite yes or no prematurely.

Remember: Answer one invitation with talvez, one question with acho que, and one decision with ainda não sei. Add a time to follow up when the other person needs to plan.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Maybe I'll go to the party later.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Talvez eu vá à festa mais tarde.

2. Maybe we'll be able to arrive earlier.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Talvez a gente consiga chegar antes.

3. Maybe it will rain in the late afternoon.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Talvez chova no fim da tarde.

4. I think he has already left.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Acho que ele já saiu.

5. I don't think there will be enough time.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Acho que não vai dar tempo.

6. Do you think the store is open?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Você acha que a loja está aberta?

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Answer one invitation with talvez, one question with acho que, and one decision with ainda não sei. Add a time to follow up when the other person needs to plan.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Talvez, Acho Que, and Ainda Não Sei: Express Uncertainty in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.