<p>100% = 絕對，肯定，一定 (definitely)</p>
<p>80 - 90% = 應該 (most likely/ probably)</p>
<p>70 - 90% = 多數  (most likely)</p>
<p>60 - 90% = 大慨 (probably)</p>
<p>60 - 80% = 極可能，很可能 (very likely)</p>
<p>1 - 50% = 有可能 (possible)，或者，也许，說不定 (maybe)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-07T21:56:14.807Z
似乎, 好像是 (likely), 不會吧, 不像是 (not likely), 不可能 (not possible), 決對不是, 決對不可能 (impossible).
r13
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-04-07T20:00:57.783Z
2021-04-07T20:53:29.940Z
2021-04-07T20:53:29.940Z
Tang Ho
<p>There are several words in Chinese that express various degrees of probability/possibility/likelihood, such as 也许，说不定，可能，确定，etc.</p>
<p>Many of these words have overlapping definitions, but this may or may not mean that the different words convey a similar sense of probability.</p>
<p>What are the various &quot;probability&quot; words/phrases used in Chinese and how do their senses of probability compare with each other?</p>
<p>For example, in English and according to this native English speaker's sense (which will not be the same for all native English speakers), we have:</p>
<p>impossible &lt; very unlikely &lt; unlikely &lt; potentially ~&lt; maybe ~= possibly ~= perhaps &lt; quite possible &lt; likely &lt; very likely &lt; almost certain &lt; definitely = certain</p>
<p>where I have ranked the words in order of their sense of likelihood (from least to greatest). I know I am missing words/phrases, but I hope this gets the idea across. I also know that I am mixing adverbs and adjectives; this is intentional as I am thinking about the core meanings and because the meaning can change between adjectival and adverbial forms (possibly vs possible, for example).</p>
<p>There is a related <a href="https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/33106/%e4%b9%9f%e8%ae%b8-vs-%e6%88%96%e8%ae%b8-vs-%e5%8f%af%e8%83%bd-usage">question</a>, but I am looking for more words and a general sense of relative likelihood.</p>

<meaning><adverbs><adjectives>
Ranking of Likelihood/Probability Words
# Ranking of Likelihood/Probability Words

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-04-07)

There are several words in Chinese that express various degrees of probability/possibility/likelihood, such as 也许，说不定，可能，确定，etc.

Many of these words have overlapping definitions, but this may or may not mean that the different words convey a similar sense of probability.

What are the various "probability" words/phrases used in Chinese and how do their senses of probability compare with each other?

For example, in English and according to this native English speaker's sense (which will not be the same for all native English speakers), we have:

impossible < very unlikely < unlikely < potentially ~< maybe ~= possibly ~= perhaps < quite possible < likely < very likely < almost certain < definitely = certain

where I have ranked the words in order of their sense of likelihood (from least to greatest). I know I am missing words/phrases, but I hope this gets the idea across. I also know that I am mixing adverbs and adjectives; this is intentional as I am thinking about the core meanings and because the meaning can change between adjectival and adverbial forms (possibly vs possible, for example).

There is a related [question](https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/33106/%e4%b9%9f%e8%ae%b8-vs-%e6%88%96%e8%ae%b8-vs-%e5%8f%af%e8%83%bd-usage), but I am looking for more words and a general sense of relative likelihood.

**Tags:** meaning, adverbs, adjectives


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2021-04-07. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

100% = 絕對，肯定，一定 (definitely)

80 - 90% = 應該 (most likely/ probably)

70 - 90% = 多數 (most likely)

60 - 90% = 大慨 (probably)

60 - 80% = 極可能，很可能 (very likely)

1 - 50% = 有可能 (possible)，或者，也许，說不定 (maybe)

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: 似乎, 好像是 (likely), 不會吧, 不像是 (not likely), 不可能 (not possible), 決對不是, 決對不可能 (impossible).  

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