acaso

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perhaps, maybe, surely, do you really, chance
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/aˈkaso/
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Possibility or chance, often put forward as a question.
Practice using acaso in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • El acaso decidió el resultado de aquel encuentro.
    Chance decided the outcome of that meeting.
  • Podría, acaso, pedir otra opinión.
    I could, perhaps, ask for another opinion.
  • Fue un feliz acaso que nos encontráramos allí.
    It was a happy chance that we met there.
  • Acaso podamos cambiar la fecha.
    Perhaps we can change the date.
  • Acaso la solución esté más cerca de lo que pensamos.
    Perhaps the solution is closer than we think.

Similar words

posiblemente
por ventura
no
es que
casualidad
azar
tal vez
quizá
fortuna

Meanings

Perhaps

adverb
possibility
neutral
Suggests a possibility without asserting it.

Examples

  • Acaso podamos cambiar la fecha.
    Perhaps we can change the date.
  • Acaso sea mejor esperar hasta mañana.
    Perhaps it would be better to wait until tomorrow.
  • El resultado acaso no sea tan grave.
    The result may not be so serious.
  • Podría, acaso, pedir otra opinión.
    I could, perhaps, ask for another opinion.
  • Acaso la solución esté más cerca de lo que pensamos.
    Perhaps the solution is closer than we think.

Similar words

quizá
tal vez
posiblemente

Rhetorical challenge

adverb
rhetoric
neutral
Introduces a question whose implied answer challenges an assumption.

Examples

  • ¿Acaso crees que no lo intenté?
    Do you really think I did not try?
  • ¿Acaso no te avisaron del cambio?
    Surely they told you about the change?
  • ¿Acaso tenemos otra opción?
    Do we really have another option?
  • ¿Acaso voy a mentirte ahora?
    Would I really lie to you now?
  • ¿Acaso no merece una explicación?
    Does he not deserve an explanation?

Similar words

por ventura
es que

Chance

noun
chance
literary
An unforeseen event or the force of coincidence.

Examples

  • Fue un feliz acaso que nos encontráramos allí.
    It was a happy chance that we met there.
  • El acaso decidió el resultado de aquel encuentro.
    Chance decided the outcome of that meeting.
  • No dejemos una decisión tan seria al acaso.
    Let us not leave such a serious decision to chance.
  • Por puro acaso, hallaron la carta perdida.
    By pure chance, they found the lost letter.
  • Atribuyó al acaso lo que otros llamaban destino.
    He attributed to chance what others called fate.

Similar words

azar
casualidad
fortuna

Ecuadorian no

adverb
negation
informal
In Ecuadorian speech, denies what a question suggests.

Examples

  • ¿Acaso he dicho eso?
    Did I say that? Of course not.
  • ¿Acaso puedo salir con esta lluvia?
    Can I go out in this rain? No.
  • ¿Acaso soy yo el responsable?
    Am I the one responsible? No.
  • ¿Acaso te pedí dinero?
    Did I ask you for money? No.
  • ¿Acaso no intentamos ayudar?
    Did we not try to help? Of course we did.

Similar words

no

Etymology

From Spanish caso, “case” or “event”.

FAQ

What does acaso mean?

Usually “perhaps”; it can also introduce a pointed question.

Is acaso always a question?

No. It can mark ordinary uncertainty in a statement.

What does it add to a rhetorical question?

It suggests the speaker doubts the idea being asked about.

Can acaso be a noun?

Yes, a literary noun for chance or coincidence.

Does it have a regional use?

In Ecuador, it can serve as a negative reply.

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