Talvez, Acho Que, and Ainda Não Sei: Express Uncertainty in Portuguese
Learn short Brazilian Portuguese phrases for maybe, I think so, and I haven't decided yet.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
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.
Use talvez for “maybe”
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.
Talvez eu vá à festa mais tarde.
Maybe I'll go to the party later.
Talvez a gente consiga chegar antes.
Maybe we'll be able to arrive earlier.
Talvez chova no fim da tarde.
Maybe it will rain in the late afternoon.
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.
Acho que ele já saiu.
I think he has already left.
Acho que não vai dar tempo.
I don't think there will be enough time.
Você acha que a loja está aberta?
Do you think the store is open?
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.
Ainda não sei se vou viajar.
I don't know yet whether I'm going to travel.
Ainda não decidi o que vou pedir.
I haven't decided what I'm going to order yet.
Vou olhar minha agenda e te confirmo amanhã.
I'll check my schedule and confirm with you tomorrow.
Put it into practice
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.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I don't think there will be enough time”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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