likely; uncertain; may well
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadverb
may well; likely; probably
informalUsed to express a high degree of likelihood or probability, especially when referring to future events. Often spoken with the neutral tone 'bu' (不).
Bié别
gāo高
xìng兴
tài太
zǎo早
，
zhè这
shì事
er儿
bǎo保
bu不
dīng丁
huì会
chū出
shén什
me么
chà岔
zi子
。
Don't celebrate too soon; this matter may well go wrong in some way.
Kàn看
zhè这
tiān天
sè色
，
bǎo保
bu不
dīng丁
wǎn晚
shàng上
yào要
xià下
yǔ雨
。
Looking at the sky, it's likely to rain tonight.
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Tā他
dā答
yìng应
shì是
dā答
yìng应
le了
，
dàn但
bǎo保
bu不
dīng丁
lín临
shí时
yòu又
biàn变
guà卦
。
He agreed, but he may well change his mind at the last minute.
Zhè这
lǎo老
jī机
qì器
bǎo保
bu不
dīng丁
nǎ哪
tiān天
jiù就
chè彻
dǐ底
huài坏
le了
。
This old machine may well break down completely one of these days.