New

New site — report bugs!

Uncertainty & Doubt

혹시 - By any chance

혹시 is an adverb meaning "by any chance," "perhaps," or "possibly." It's commonly used to politely ask questions, make tentative suggestions, or express uncertainty about possibilities.

Basic Meaning

혹시 can mean:

  1. By any chance
  2. Perhaps
  3. Possibly
  4. Maybe
  5. Just in case
  6. Perchance

Function: Softens questions and statements, shows politeness

Position in Sentence

Before the Main Verb

Standard placement:

  • 혹시 + Subject + Verb

Examples:

  • 혹시 아세요? (Do you know by any chance?)
  • 혹시 시간 있어요? (Do you have time by any chance?)
  • 혹시 봤어요? (Did you see it by any chance?)

Can Start Sentence

Common in questions:

  • 혹시, + Question

Examples:

  • 혹시, 이거 아세요? (By any chance, do you know this?)
  • 혹시, 저 아시나요? (By any chance, do you know me?)

Main Uses

1. Polite Questions

Softening inquiries:

  • 혹시 펜 있어요? (Do you have a pen by any chance?)
  • 혹시 김 선생님 아세요? (Do you know Teacher Kim by any chance?)
  • 혹시 길 아세요? (Do you know the way by any chance?)

Nuance: Makes questions less direct and more polite

2. Checking Possibilities

Exploring options:

  • 혹시 내일 시간 있어요? (Do you possibly have time tomorrow?)
  • 혹시 도와줄 수 있어요? (Could you possibly help?)
  • 혹시 전화번호 알아요? (Do you happen to know the phone number?)

3. Expressing "Just in Case"

Precautionary situations:

  • 혹시 몰라서 우산 가져왔어요 (I brought an umbrella just in case)
  • 혹시 필요할까 봐 샀어요 (I bought it in case it's needed)
  • 혹시 연락 올까 봐 기다렸어요 (I waited in case they contact me)

4. Wondering About Circumstances

Tentative speculation:

  • 혹시 잊어버린 건 아닐까? (Could it be that you forgot?)
  • 혹시 아픈 거 아니에요? (Are you sick perhaps?)
  • 혹시 길 잃은 거 아니에요? (Are you possibly lost?)

Common Question Patterns

혹시 + Question Word

With interrogatives:

  • 혹시 누구 아세요? (Do you know anyone by chance?)
  • 혹시 뭐 필요한 거 있어요? (Do you need anything by any chance?)
  • 혹시 어디 가세요? (Are you going somewhere by any chance?)
  • 혹시 언제 오세요? (When might you be coming?)

혹시 + Verb + (으)세요?

Polite honorific questions:

  • 혹시 아세요? (Do you know by any chance?)
  • 혹시 보셨어요? (Did you see it by any chance?)
  • 혹시 들으셨어요? (Did you hear by any chance?)

혹시 + 저 (I/me)

Asking about oneself:

  • 혹시 저 아세요? (Do you know me by any chance?)
  • 혹시 저한테 전화 왔어요? (Did anyone call me by chance?)

Polite Requests

Softening Requests

Making asks more gentle:

  • 혹시 도와주실 수 있으세요? (Could you possibly help me?)
  • 혹시 물 좀 주실 수 있어요? (Could you give me some water by any chance?)
  • 혹시 이거 좀 봐 주실 수 있어요? (Could you possibly look at this?)

Function: Less imposing than direct requests

Expressing Concern

Worried Questions

Checking on someone:

  • 혹시 아프세요? (Are you sick by any chance?)
  • 혹시 문제 있어요? (Is there a problem perhaps?)
  • 혹시 괜찮으세요? (Are you okay by any chance?)

Cautious Inquiries

Delicate topics:

  • 혹시 기분 나쁘셨어요? (Were you offended by any chance?)
  • 혹시 실례가 됐나요? (Was I rude perhaps?)

"Just in Case" Usage

혹시 몰라(서)

In case/just in case:

  • 혹시 몰라서 가져왔어요 (I brought it just in case)
  • 혹시 몰라 일찍 갔어요 (I went early just in case)
  • 혹시 몰라 확인했어요 (I checked just in case)

Very common expression

Precautionary Actions

Taking measures:

  • 혹시 비가 올까 봐 우산 챙겼어요 (I brought an umbrella in case it rains)
  • 혹시 늦을까 봐 서둘렀어요 (I hurried in case I'd be late)

Negative Questions

혹시 안/못...?

Negative possibilities:

  • 혹시 못 봤어요? (Did you possibly not see it?)
  • 혹시 안 들었어요? (Did you perhaps not hear?)
  • 혹시 안 왔어요? (Didn't they come by any chance?)

Casual vs Polite

Casual Form

Among friends:

  • 혹시 너 이거 알아? (Do you know this by any chance?)
  • 혹시 시간 있어? (Do you have time by chance?)

Polite Form

Respectful contexts:

  • 혹시 아세요? (Do you know by any chance? - polite)
  • 혹시 시간 있으세요? (Do you have time by any chance? - honorific)

Common Situations

Meeting Someone

Introduction contexts:

  • 혹시 김 선생님 아세요? (Do you know Teacher Kim by any chance?)
  • 혹시 저희 전에 만난 적 있나요? (Have we met before by any chance?)

Looking for Items

Finding things:

  • 혹시 제 가방 봤어요? (Did you see my bag by any chance?)
  • 혹시 펜 있어요? (Do you have a pen by any chance?)

Asking for Help

Requesting assistance:

  • 혹시 영어 할 줄 아세요? (Do you know English by any chance?)
  • 혹시 도와주실 수 있어요? (Could you help by any chance?)

Directions

Navigation questions:

  • 혹시 이 근처에 은행 있어요? (Is there a bank nearby by any chance?)
  • 혹시 여기가 어디인지 아세요? (Do you know where this is by any chance?)

With Other Uncertainty Words

혹시 + 아마(도)

Perhaps by any chance:

  • 혹시 아마 내일 올 거예요 (Perhaps they'll come tomorrow by any chance)

Note: Can be redundant, usually use one or the other

혹시나 (해서)

Just in case (emphatic):

  • 혹시나 해서 물어봤어요 (I asked just in case)
  • 혹시나 필요할까 봐 (In case it might be needed)

Meaning: Stronger version of 혹시

Comparison with Similar Words

혹시 vs 아마(도)

아마(도) (probably/perhaps):

  • 아마 올 거예요 (They'll probably come)
  • Expresses likelihood
  • About predictions

혹시 (by any chance):

  • 혹시 와요? (Are they coming by any chance?)
  • Explores possibilities
  • About questions

혹시 vs 만약

만약 (if):

  • 만약 비가 오면 (If it rains)
  • Conditional
  • Hypothetical

혹시 (by any chance):

  • 혹시 비 와요? (Is it raining by any chance?)
  • Possibility check
  • Actual inquiry

Tone and Nuance

Politeness Marker

Shows consideration:

  • Makes questions less intrusive
  • Shows respect for listener
  • Acknowledges uncertainty

Tentative Approach

Not assuming:

  • Doesn't presume knowledge
  • Allows for negative answer
  • Non-confrontational

Response Patterns

Positive Response

When answer is yes:

  • 네, 알아요 (Yes, I know)
  • 네, 있어요 (Yes, I have it)
  • 네, 봤어요 (Yes, I saw it)

Negative Response

When answer is no:

  • 아니요, 몰라요 (No, I don't know)
  • 아니요, 없어요 (No, I don't have it)
  • 죄송하지만 모르겠어요 (Sorry, I don't know)

Cultural Notes

Essential Politeness Word

Very commonly used:

  • Shows Korean politeness culture
  • Softens direct questions
  • Expected in polite contexts

Overuse is Acceptable

Can't be too polite:

  • Using 혹시 frequently is normal
  • Preferred in uncertain situations
  • Shows good manners

Summary Table

UsageExampleContext
Polite question혹시 아세요?Do you know by any chance?
Request혹시 도와주실 수 있어요?Could you possibly help?
Just in case혹시 몰라서Just in case
Concern혹시 아프세요?Are you sick perhaps?
Looking for혹시 펜 있어요?Do you have a pen by chance?
Meeting혹시 저 아세요?Do you know me by chance?

Key Points

Use 혹시 to:

  • Soften questions
  • Show politeness
  • Express possibility
  • Make tentative requests
  • Check "just in case"
  • Be less direct

Remember:

  • Very common in Korean
  • Always polite to use
  • Goes before main clause
  • Can start sentences
  • Essential for courteous speech
  • Cannot be overused