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Uncertainty & Doubt

아마(도) - Perhaps/Probably

아마 or 아마도 is an adverb meaning "perhaps," "probably," "maybe," or "most likely." It expresses the speaker's speculation or estimation about something with moderate to high probability.

Basic Forms

아마

Short form:

  • Most common in speech
  • Casual and natural
  • Used in all contexts

Examples:

  • 아마 올 거예요 (They'll probably come)
  • 아마 비가 올 거예요 (It'll probably rain)

아마도

Long form with 도:

  • Slightly more formal
  • More emphatic
  • More literary

Examples:

  • 아마도 내일 갈 거예요 (I'll probably go tomorrow)
  • 아마도 그럴 거예요 (That's probably the case)

Note: 아마 and 아마도 are largely interchangeable

Meaning and Probability

Probability Level

Moderate to high certainty:

  • Not 100% certain
  • More than 50% probability
  • Based on reasoning or evidence
  • Educated guess

Compared to Other Probability Words

Certainty spectrum:

  • 확실히 (certainly) - 100%
  • 틀림없이 (undoubtedly) - 95%
  • 아마(도) (probably) - 70-80%
  • 어쩌면 (maybe) - 50%
  • 혹시 (by any chance) - low probability question

Position in Sentence

Beginning of Sentence

Most common position:

  • 아마(도) + Subject + Verb

Examples:

  • 아마 비가 올 거예요 (It'll probably rain)
  • 아마도 그 사람일 거예요 (It's probably that person)
  • 아마 맞을 거예요 (It's probably correct)

Before Main Verb

Also acceptable:

  • Subject + 아마(도) + Verb

Examples:

  • 그는 아마 올 거예요 (He'll probably come)
  • 내일은 아마 괜찮을 거예요 (Tomorrow will probably be okay)

Common Usage Patterns

아마(도) + Future Tense

Most common combination:

  • 아마 -(으)ㄹ 거예요

Examples:

  • 아마 갈 거예요 (Will probably go)
  • 아마 올 거예요 (Will probably come)
  • 아마 비가 올 거예요 (It'll probably rain)
  • 아마 성공할 거예요 (Will probably succeed)

아마(도) + -(으)ㄹ 것이다

More formal future:

  • 아마 갈 것이다 (Will probably go)
  • 아마도 성공할 것이다 (Will probably succeed)

아마(도) + Present State

Current probability:

  • 아마 집에 있을 거예요 (They're probably home)
  • 아마 바쁠 거예요 (They're probably busy)
  • 아마 알 거예요 (They probably know)

Politeness Levels

Casual: 아마

Informal contexts:

  • 아마 갈 거야 (Will probably go)
  • 아마 맞을 거야 (Probably right)

Polite: 아마

With polite endings:

  • 아마 갈 거예요 (Will probably go - polite)
  • 아마 올 거예요 (Will probably come - polite)

Formal: 아마도

Written/formal contexts:

  • 아마도 성공할 것입니다 (Will probably succeed)
  • 아마도 그럴 것입니다 (That will probably be the case)

Making Predictions

Weather

Weather speculation:

  • 아마 비가 올 거예요 (It'll probably rain)
  • 아마 눈이 올 거예요 (It'll probably snow)
  • 아마 맑을 거예요 (It'll probably be clear)

Events

Future events:

  • 아마 성공할 거예요 (Will probably succeed)
  • 아마 통과할 거예요 (Will probably pass)
  • 아마 늦을 거예요 (Will probably be late)

People's Actions

Guessing behavior:

  • 아마 올 거예요 (They'll probably come)
  • 아마 알 거예요 (They probably know)
  • 아마 좋아할 거예요 (They'll probably like it)

Expressing Opinions Softly

Tentative Statements

Softening assertions:

  • 아마 그게 맞을 거예요 (That's probably right)
  • 아마 좋은 생각일 거예요 (It's probably a good idea)
  • 아마 문제없을 거예요 (There'll probably be no problem)

Function: Makes opinions less forceful

With Question Forms

Not Typically Used in Questions

Unusual in interrogatives:

  • ❌ 아마 올까요? (awkward)
  • ✓ 올까요? (Shall they come?)

Note: 아마 is for statements, not questions

Negative Forms

아마(도) + Negative

Negative probability:

  • 아마 안 올 거예요 (Probably won't come)
  • 아마 못 갈 거예요 (Probably can't go)
  • 아마 없을 거예요 (Probably won't be there)

Examples:

  • 아마 비가 안 올 거예요 (It probably won't rain)
  • 아마 안 될 거예요 (It probably won't work)

Common Expressions

아마(도) 그럴 거예요

"That's probably the case":

  • Common response to speculation
  • Agreeing with probability

아마(도) 맞을 거예요

"It's probably correct":

  • Confirming likelihood
  • Tentative agreement

아마(도) 아닐 거예요

"It's probably not":

  • Negative speculation
  • Doubtful response

Combining with Other Words

아마(도) + 틀림없이

Probably undoubtedly (redundant but used):

  • 아마 틀림없이 올 거예요 (Will almost certainly come)

Note: Strengthens probability

아마(도) + 분명히

Probably certainly (similar redundancy):

  • 아마 분명히 맞을 거예요 (It's almost certainly correct)

Hedging in Conversation

Avoiding Definitiveness

Showing humility:

  • Direct: 내일 비가 올 거예요 (It will rain tomorrow)
  • Hedged: 아마 내일 비가 올 거예요 (It'll probably rain tomorrow)

Cultural note: Korean culture values not being too assertive

In Formal Writing

Academic/Business

Formal speculation:

  • 아마도 이 방법이 효과적일 것이다 (This method will probably be effective)
  • 아마도 결과는 긍정적일 것이다 (The results will probably be positive)

News/Reports

Journalistic hedging:

  • 아마도 내일 발표될 것으로 보입니다 (It will probably be announced tomorrow)

Comparison with Similar Words

아마 vs 어쩌면

어쩌면 (maybe/perhaps):

  • 어쩌면 올 거예요 (Maybe they'll come)
  • Lower probability (around 50%)
  • More uncertain

아마 (probably):

  • 아마 올 거예요 (They'll probably come)
  • Higher probability (70-80%)
  • More confident

아마 vs 확실히

확실히 (certainly):

  • 확실히 올 거예요 (They'll certainly come)
  • Very high certainty (95%+)
  • Strong conviction

아마 (probably):

  • 아마 올 거예요 (They'll probably come)
  • Moderate certainty
  • Room for doubt

아마 vs 필시

필시 (surely/certainly - formal):

  • 필시 성공할 것이다 (Will surely succeed)
  • Very formal/literary
  • High certainty

아마 (probably):

  • 아마 성공할 거예요 (Will probably succeed)
  • More common
  • Less certain

Usage Tips

When to Use 아마

Good for:

  • Making predictions
  • Expressing estimates
  • Softening statements
  • Showing reasonable certainty
  • Avoiding overconfidence

When Not to Use

Avoid when:

  • Stating facts
  • Making promises
  • Giving guarantees
  • Speaking with certainty
  • Formal commitments

Regional and Register

Standard Korean

Universally used:

  • All regions understand
  • Common in standard Korean
  • Appropriate all contexts

Formality

Works at all levels:

  • Casual: 아마 갈 거야
  • Polite: 아마 갈 거예요
  • Formal: 아마도 갈 것입니다

Common Sentence Patterns

아마 + Person + -(으)ㄹ 거예요

Person-based prediction:

  • 아마 그 사람이 할 거예요 (That person will probably do it)
  • 아마 친구가 올 거예요 (My friend will probably come)

아마 + Event + -(으)ㄹ 거예요

Event prediction:

  • 아마 회의가 늦을 거예요 (The meeting will probably be late)
  • 아마 시험이 어려울 거예요 (The test will probably be difficult)

Summary Table

ProbabilityKoreanExampleCertainty Level
Certainly확실히확실히 올 거예요~100%
Undoubtedly틀림없이틀림없이 올 거예요~95%
Probably아마(도)아마 올 거예요~70-80%
Maybe어쩌면어쩌면 올 거예요~50%
By chance혹시혹시 와요?Low (question)

Key Characteristics

아마(도) is used for:

  • Moderate to high probability
  • Future predictions
  • Educated guesses
  • Softening statements
  • Showing reasonable certainty

Remember:

  • Usually with future tense
  • Not used in questions
  • More certain than 어쩌면
  • Less certain than 확실히
  • Very common in daily speech
  • Can use 아마 or 아마도
  • Shows humility and caution