potser

Potser is a Catalan adverb meaning perhaps or maybe. It is used to express uncertainty about a statement, event, or prediction and can function as a hedge in both informal speech and writing. Potser may appear at the beginning of a clause or within it, as in Potser vindré demà (Perhaps I will come tomorrow) or Avui potser plourà (Today perhaps it will rain). It can also be used to soften a claim, for example, Potser no serà possible, meaning “Perhaps it won’t be possible.”

Etymology and usage across varieties. The precise origin of potser is uncertain, but it is a long-established part of medieval and modern Catalan. It is a common feature of everyday speech and is widely understood in Catalan-speaking regions. In formal writing, speakers may opt for more formal equivalents such as probablement or possiblement, but potser remains frequent in dialogue, journalism, and literature for a conversational tone.

Regional presence and register. Potser is widely used across Catalan-speaking areas, including Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Valencia, and parts of eastern Aragon. Its informal and versatile character makes it a staple for expressing doubt, speculation, or approximation in discussion, narration, and rhetorical questioning.