Russian Dictionary

может

/mozhet/

Description of может

Может is often used in everyday Russian for soft suggestions, guesses or possible explanations. It's a short form of может быть (maybe).

1.

maybe

Может, останемся дома?

Maybe we should stay home?

Уже поздно. Может, не поедем?

It's already late. Maybe we shouldn't go?

Может, скажем ей правду?

Maybe we should tell her the truth?

Может, он занят.

Maybe he's busy.

Они, может, не знают.

Maybe they don't know.

Может, не будем говорить об этом?

Maybe we shouldn't talk about this?

Может, не будем ссориться из-за этого?

Maybe we shouldn't fight over this?

Может, будем собираться?

Maybe we should start getting ready?

Может, не надо?

Maybe it's not necessary?

2.

how about

Может, тортика?

How about some cake?

Может, чайку?

How about some tea?

Может, закажем пиццу?

How about ordering a pizza?

Может, сходим в кино?

How about going to the cinema?

3.

shall

Так холодно! Может, закроем окно?

It's so cold! Shall we close the window?

Может, погуляем на улице?

Shall we go for a walk outside?

Summary

  • The Russian word может is short for может быть, meaning "maybe".
  • The primary use of может is to express a guess or possible explanation: Может, он занят.
  • We often use может + perfective verb (мы-form) to make a soft suggestion: Может, закажем пиццу?
  • Sometimes, it's also possible to use an imperfective verb in the future: Может, будем собираться?
  • When making offers, может can be followed by just a noun, which usually appears in the genitive case: Может, тортика?

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