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μήπως
perhaps / by any chance (introducing a tentative question) /ˈmi.pos/
adverbA1#160 most common
Also: maybe, by any chance, lest / in case (after verbs of fearing or doubting)
Example sentences
Μήπως ξέρεις τι ώρα είναι;
Do you happen to know what time it is?
Μήπως θέλεις λίγο νερό;
Would you perhaps like some water?
Μήπως ξέχασες τα κλειδιά σου στο σπίτι;
Did you maybe forget your keys at home?
Φοβάμαι μήπως αργήσουμε στο αεροδρόμιο.
I'm afraid we might be late to the airport.
Αναρωτιέμαι μήπως τελικά είχε δίκιο εξαρχής.
I wonder whether perhaps he was right from the start after all.
Μήπως, λέω, θα ήταν φρονιμότερο να αναβάλουμε τη συνάντηση μέχρι να ξεκαθαρίσει η κατάσταση;
Might it not, I suggest, be wiser to postpone the meeting until the situation clears up?
Word family
μη(ν)not, don't (negation)
κάπωςsomehow, in some wayπώςhowίσωςperhaps, maybe (near-synonym)τάχαsupposedly, as if, perhaps
Etymology
A compound of the negative/prohibitive particle μή ('not, lest') and the indefinite enclitic πως ('somehow, in any way'). It is inherited from Ancient Greek μή πως / μήπως, originally 'lest somehow', used in clauses of fearing and doubt. In modern usage the fear sense survives ('φοβάμαι μήπως') alongside its everyday role softening questions into 'perhaps...?'.
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