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a lo mejor

The one “maybe” that takes the indicative, which is why it is the easiest to use.

Quick answer

a lo mejor

Natural: maybe / perhaps
Literal: “at the best”

How it is used

A lo mejor viene mañana.Maybe he’s coming tomorrow.
A lo mejor no lo sabe.Maybe she doesn’t know.
A lo mejor tienes razón.Maybe you’re right.
A lo mejor nos vemos el viernes.Maybe we’ll see each other on Friday.

Where it is said

Very common in Spain and widely understood elsewhere; in much of Latin America <b>capaz que</b> or <b>tal vez</b> is heard more often in the same slot.

A mini dialogue

— ¿Crees que llegará a tiempo?— Do you think he’ll get here on time?
— A lo mejor sí, pero no cuentes con ello.— Maybe, but don’t count on it.

Watch out

a lo mejor

A lo mejor always takes the indicative: a lo mejor viene, never a lo mejor venga. This is the difference from quizás and tal vez, which can take the subjunctive (quizás venga) to sound less certain.

a lo mejor

It has nothing to do with quality. It does not mean “at best”; that is como mucho or en el mejor de los casos.

Check yourself

Which sentence is correct?

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