How to Say 'I'm Not Sure' and 'It Might Be' in Spanish: Expressing Uncertainty Without Strong Claims
Learn elementary Latin American Spanish phrases to express doubt and uncertainty, such as 'No estoy seguro' and 'Puede que sea', so you can avoid making strong claims.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Sometimes you do not want to sound completely sure. In Spanish, there are simple, polite ways to say 'I'm not sure' or 'It might be' without making a strong claim. This lesson teaches you elementary phrases for doubt, possibility, and hesitation. You will practice the difference between a confident statement and a cautious one, and you will learn how to soften your opinion in everyday conversation. The focus is only on uncertainty, not on expressing certainty.
By the end, you can…
- say 'I'm not sure' in Spanish in a polite way.
- use 'quizás', 'tal vez', and 'puede que' to suggest something is possible.
- soften a statement so it does not sound like a strong claim.
- ask someone else if they are sure or unsure.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
No estoy seguro.
I'm not sure.
noh es-TOY se-GOO-roh
Use when you are a man. For a woman, say 'No estoy segura' (se-GOO-rah). This is a direct but polite way to express doubt.
No estoy segura.
I'm not sure.
noh es-TOY se-GOO-rah
Use when you are a woman. It has the same meaning as 'No estoy seguro' but matches feminine grammatical gender.
Quizás.
Maybe. / Perhaps.
kee-SAHS
A common one-word answer. It can go at the beginning or end of a sentence: 'Quizás viene' (Maybe he's coming). In some regions you may also hear 'quizá'.
Tal vez.
Maybe. / Perhaps.
tahl BES
Very similar to 'quizás'. It often introduces a possibility: 'Tal vez llueva' (Maybe it will rain). It is neutral and widely understood in Latin America.
Puede que sea...
It might be...
PWEH-deh keh SEH-ah
Use this pattern to suggest a possibility without saying it is true. Example: 'Puede que sea tarde' (It might be late). The verb after 'que' is in the subjunctive form.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A very useful pattern for uncertainty is 'Puede que + subjunctive'. You use it when you do not want to say something is definitely true. For example, 'Puede que sea verdad' means 'It might be true'. Another pattern is 'No estoy seguro de si...' meaning 'I'm not sure if...'. Example: 'No estoy seguro de si viene' (I'm not sure if he is coming). Notice that 'quizás' and 'tal vez' can be followed by the indicative in everyday speech: 'Quizás viene' or 'Tal vez viene'. These small words let you avoid a strong claim.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are guessing, when you do not have all the facts, or when you want to be polite. For example, if a friend asks where Ana is, you can say 'No estoy seguro. Quizás está en casa' (I'm not sure. Maybe she is at home). If you are talking about the weather, say 'Tal vez llueva' (Maybe it will rain). If you are discussing a plan, 'Puede que llegue tarde' (I might arrive late) sounds softer than 'Llego tarde'. These expressions are common in casual and neutral situations. Avoid them when you need to give a firm answer, such as in an emergency.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
¿Vas a la fiesta esta noche?
Are you going to the party tonight?bahs ah lah FYES-tah ES-tah NOH-chehNo estoy seguro. Quizás vaya.
I'm not sure. Maybe I'll go.noh es-TOY se-GOO-roh. kee-SAHS BAH-yah¿Y sabes si Ana va?
And do you know if Ana is going?ee SAH-bes see AH-nah bahNo estoy seguro. Tal vez ella va.
I'm not sure. Maybe she is going.noh es-TOY se-GOO-roh. tahl BES EH-yah bahA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American Spanish-speaking contexts, softening a claim with 'quizás', 'tal vez', or 'no estoy seguro' is a normal way to be polite and avoid sounding too direct. The exact preference varies by country and by person, so listen to how people around you express doubt. In formal situations, 'No estoy seguro' is usually safer than a very casual 'No sé' when you want to sound respectful.
One thing to watch for
Using 'No estoy seguro' when you are a woman, without changing the ending.
Try this instead: The adjective matches the speaker's gender. A woman says 'No estoy segura' (se-GOO-rah), and a man says 'No estoy seguro' (se-GOO-roh). Example: 'No estoy segura de si viene' (I'm not sure if he is coming).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'm not sure' if you are a woman?
Show a sample answer
No estoy segura.
The adjective 'segura' is feminine and matches a female speaker. If you are a man, the correct form is 'No estoy seguro'. Both are valid depending on the speaker.
2Translate: 'It might be true.' Use the 'puede que' pattern.
Show a sample answer
Puede que sea verdad.
'Puede que' introduces a possibility and is followed by the subjunctive 'sea'. You could also say 'Quizás sea verdad' or 'Tal vez sea verdad' with a similar meaning.
3You want to say 'Maybe it will rain.' Which phrase can you use?
Show a sample answer
Tal vez llueva. / Quizás llueva.
Both 'tal vez' and 'quizás' can introduce a possibility. The verb 'llueva' is in the subjunctive form. In casual speech, some speakers may say 'Tal vez llueve', but the subjunctive is a safe choice for learners.
Use 'No estoy seguro/segura', 'quizás', 'tal vez', and 'puede que' to express doubt politely. Match 'seguro' to your gender, and remember that 'puede que' is followed by the subjunctive.
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