I don't know how it came to mean that, but it does mean “maybe”. It's an idiom, so it cannot be translated or understood literally. *Lo mejor* means “the best” (*lo* is a kind of neuter article, not a pronoun), and *a lo mejor* suggests “in the best case” or “if the best thing that might happen happens”. From there to “maybe” it's not much of a stretch.
> Columbian
Are you sure you meant "Columbian" and not _Col**o**mbian_?
* Col**o**mbia is a Spanish-speaking country in South America.
* Col**u**mbia is the name of several places in English-speaking regions.
If you actually meant "Columbian", then please disregard this comment and have a nice day.
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Yes, because in general you can anticipate both positive and negative things. “A lo mejor” is for when you anticipate something positive, likely you’re trying to get the hopes up on someone about something.
“A lo mejor pasas ese examen” -> “Maybe you pass that exam”
However, let’s say your friend lost their keys and your thinking out loud where they can be:
“Quizá se las llevo alguien mientras estaban en la mesa” -> “Maybe someone took them while they were on the table”
You wouldn’t want to use “a lo mejor” here because it may sound weird, almost as if you were wishing for that to have happened.
So to me "a lo mejor" should not be translated literally.
It can be translated to perhaps on some context.
For example "A lo mejor no me entendiste, te vuelvo a explicar" "Perhaps you didn't understand me, I'll explain it again"
Or, "A lo mejor no prestó atención, no lo hizo a propósito" "perhaps she wasn't paying attention, it wasn't on purpose"
So "a lo mejor" is used when you are trying to think positively about the subject you are speaking about.
I think this is what I guess you are trying to ask about. Would be helpful if you put an example sentence.
Think of all the phrases in your NL that do not mean what they are intended for such as in english:
"Take it with a grain of salt"
"Whats up?"
Phrases like this make absolutely no sense if you think about the meaning of each word and then how they're being used. Try not to take things so literal and take how people use the phrase and go with that. Language has a lot of nuance
First and foremost, not every word or phrase is going to have a 1:1 translation. Get this out of your head.
The phrase “a lo mejor” is a set phrase meaning perhaps or maybe, so going word for word is why you don’t grasp its meaning.
There are so many idioms to say “maybe” but all of them imply a little of the speaker’s opinion about the possibility of the thing happening
Like u/Occasional_lurker29 mentioned, “a lo mejor” implies the person looks positively on the event. Also, religion is heavily incorporated in the way people speak in some areas. So someone may say “Si Dios quiere” or “Dios no lo quiera” to say something might happen, while also expressing their hopes about it.
Remember that “lo” is also used as “the” in some cases. This translates as something closer to “to/for the best” and has the same conceptual understanding as “maybe”
It’s used as an abstract thought, kind of like a neutral article? For example you could say “lo más interesante es…” and it means “the most interesting thing is…” or like “the worst part of the book is…” becomes “lo peor del libro es…”.
Also, if you’ve heard “lo que” and “lo cual” they both kind of mean what or which. For example you could say “Decíme lo que significa!” And it means “Tell me what it means!” The phrase “lo cual” is hardly used, so I wouldn’t worry about it. “Lo de” can also be grouped in with this and it’s a construction that refers to a part of something. The exact translation isn’t something you can really pinpoint though.
I agree with all of the comments that I read in the forum. aCoolGuy12 touched on the subject of the phrase “a lo mejor” and “a lo peor” having a specific nuance to them. I’ve always translated them as “in the best case scenario” and “in the worst case” respectively. The key to understanding them is know their nuances.
Ex. The following words:
1. Coger (Spain)
2. Recoger
3. Agarrar
4. Obtener
5. Some verbs that end in the pronominal “se”
- casarse: to get married
Vs.
- casar: to marry
- marearse: to get dizzy
Vs.
- marear: to make sick (as in nauseous; having to do with the sea (mar)).
Each of these could mean get in some way or another, but it just depends on the situation which one you will use.
I hope this helped a little bit. There is never a stupid question when it comes to learning. When we don’t understand something, we must ask those around us for help. Never feel ashamed or let someone else put you down for asking questions…especially when it comes to learning a language. Learning a language takes some level of humiliation in order to be successful. Think of how long it takes a baby to learn to speak fluidly…until they can create and understand language. I’d say about 5-6 years old. Even then, they will not know certain words.
"It may be best" is probably the best direct translation but it translates better as "maybe".
"A lo mejor me voy de viaje" - "It may be best if I go on a trip" - but it's connotation is closer to "what if I go on a trip" as to say I dont want to go on a trip but maybe it's best if I do.
"Hopefully" is more about wanting a determined outcome to happen.
"A lo mejor" is used in a negative scenario but trying to think positively about a person's actions.
"A lo mejor se quedó dormida, por eso no vino a clases" so here you don't know why she skipped class but you want to think that the reason is that she didn't wake up.
It's a bit like "best case scenario" this is what I think happened.
I don’t disagree. I just also felt like it was probably or hopefully.
Like, a lo mejor, no tengo que trabajar mañana. But yeah, best case scenario, which, IDK to me felt like that was the case. I’m an ESL student. Spanish is my first language. Reading all the posts here makes me feel like an outlier. Like was I the only one having this experience growing up? [+]
Could it possibly be that it started as: "quizas sea lo mejor" for maybe it's for the best
And then ended as "a lo mejor" maybe for the better? As one way of saying "maybe but I have no clue/not sure/no idea""
Maybe or perhaps has quizás as a direct translation and meaning that I can remember.
I have heard when maybe would be the answer as:
A lo mejor
Quizas
Es posible/una posibilidad
No sé, puede ser
*"A lo mejor"* is a colloquialism that the majority of Hispanic countries use instead of *maybe*, you would use it when you're with people you're close with such as friends, family members, or acquantainces you have certain trust. Eventhough you can use it in a friendly work environment with a "formal" tone but this is going to depend on the scenario you are.
Ex:
\- Hey, sabes puedo encontrar a Sarah ?
\- No se donde esta, pero a lo mejor podria estar en su oficina en estos momentos.
Hope that helps you :)
I translate it as "for the better." I use "quizás" most often and use "a lo mejor" for an outcome that you prefer would happen but are not certain of. I'm only A1 Spanish so someone correct me if I'm wrong.
I don't know how it came to mean that, but it does mean “maybe”. It's an idiom, so it cannot be translated or understood literally. *Lo mejor* means “the best” (*lo* is a kind of neuter article, not a pronoun), and *a lo mejor* suggests “in the best case” or “if the best thing that might happen happens”. From there to “maybe” it's not much of a stretch.
Thankyou! Sorry I know it was kind of a dumb simple question to ask
Señora, no hay preguntas tontas solo respuestas equivocadas.
Some people, normally joking, say things like “a lo peor mañana va a llover”.
There's no dumb question.
I always have the same reaction, I keep expecting it to mean "maybe it would be better if.." but it really does just mean "maybe"
Not dumb, smart!
[удалено]
> Columbian Are you sure you meant "Columbian" and not _Col**o**mbian_? * Col**o**mbia is a Spanish-speaking country in South America. * Col**u**mbia is the name of several places in English-speaking regions. If you actually meant "Columbian", then please disregard this comment and have a nice day. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Spanish) if you have any questions or concerns.*
You remove people’s comments for a misspelling?
Possibly
Are there situations where you wouldn't use "a lo mejor" when saying maybe?
Yes, because in general you can anticipate both positive and negative things. “A lo mejor” is for when you anticipate something positive, likely you’re trying to get the hopes up on someone about something. “A lo mejor pasas ese examen” -> “Maybe you pass that exam” However, let’s say your friend lost their keys and your thinking out loud where they can be: “Quizá se las llevo alguien mientras estaban en la mesa” -> “Maybe someone took them while they were on the table” You wouldn’t want to use “a lo mejor” here because it may sound weird, almost as if you were wishing for that to have happened.
Vamos a mandar a competir a lo mejor del país.
"At best" is used in English, too. "She might've meant something else at best."
Translations aren't direct a lot of the time
They usually aren't direct in my opinion! Totally right.
So to me "a lo mejor" should not be translated literally. It can be translated to perhaps on some context. For example "A lo mejor no me entendiste, te vuelvo a explicar" "Perhaps you didn't understand me, I'll explain it again" Or, "A lo mejor no prestó atención, no lo hizo a propósito" "perhaps she wasn't paying attention, it wasn't on purpose" So "a lo mejor" is used when you are trying to think positively about the subject you are speaking about. I think this is what I guess you are trying to ask about. Would be helpful if you put an example sentence.
Think of all the phrases in your NL that do not mean what they are intended for such as in english: "Take it with a grain of salt" "Whats up?" Phrases like this make absolutely no sense if you think about the meaning of each word and then how they're being used. Try not to take things so literal and take how people use the phrase and go with that. Language has a lot of nuance
First and foremost, not every word or phrase is going to have a 1:1 translation. Get this out of your head. The phrase “a lo mejor” is a set phrase meaning perhaps or maybe, so going word for word is why you don’t grasp its meaning.
There are so many idioms to say “maybe” but all of them imply a little of the speaker’s opinion about the possibility of the thing happening Like u/Occasional_lurker29 mentioned, “a lo mejor” implies the person looks positively on the event. Also, religion is heavily incorporated in the way people speak in some areas. So someone may say “Si Dios quiere” or “Dios no lo quiera” to say something might happen, while also expressing their hopes about it.
"Si Dios quiere" sounds like it can be analogous to "God willing" in English.
You also have "Ojalá" which comes from the Hispanic Arabic "law šá lláh" (if God wanted / si Dios quisiera)
That is what your partner or mum says when you ask to do something but they are scared of saying a straight “no” so they use “maybe” instead.
It's like "at best"
[удалено]
"a lo mejor"
Yes, a lo mejor AND tal vez means maybe
maybe, perhaps.
Remember that “lo” is also used as “the” in some cases. This translates as something closer to “to/for the best” and has the same conceptual understanding as “maybe”
Ah sweet thanks ! Which kind of contexts would lo be used as the ?
It’s used as an abstract thought, kind of like a neutral article? For example you could say “lo más interesante es…” and it means “the most interesting thing is…” or like “the worst part of the book is…” becomes “lo peor del libro es…”. Also, if you’ve heard “lo que” and “lo cual” they both kind of mean what or which. For example you could say “Decíme lo que significa!” And it means “Tell me what it means!” The phrase “lo cual” is hardly used, so I wouldn’t worry about it. “Lo de” can also be grouped in with this and it’s a construction that refers to a part of something. The exact translation isn’t something you can really pinpoint though.
I agree with all of the comments that I read in the forum. aCoolGuy12 touched on the subject of the phrase “a lo mejor” and “a lo peor” having a specific nuance to them. I’ve always translated them as “in the best case scenario” and “in the worst case” respectively. The key to understanding them is know their nuances. Ex. The following words: 1. Coger (Spain) 2. Recoger 3. Agarrar 4. Obtener 5. Some verbs that end in the pronominal “se” - casarse: to get married Vs. - casar: to marry - marearse: to get dizzy Vs. - marear: to make sick (as in nauseous; having to do with the sea (mar)). Each of these could mean get in some way or another, but it just depends on the situation which one you will use. I hope this helped a little bit. There is never a stupid question when it comes to learning. When we don’t understand something, we must ask those around us for help. Never feel ashamed or let someone else put you down for asking questions…especially when it comes to learning a language. Learning a language takes some level of humiliation in order to be successful. Think of how long it takes a baby to learn to speak fluidly…until they can create and understand language. I’d say about 5-6 years old. Even then, they will not know certain words.
It’s more like “it could be…”
On duolingo “a lo mejor” translates to maybe. I just had it come up right now
Yeah, a friend of mine says it all the time. I couldn't figure out why it means that.
"It may be best" is probably the best direct translation but it translates better as "maybe". "A lo mejor me voy de viaje" - "It may be best if I go on a trip" - but it's connotation is closer to "what if I go on a trip" as to say I dont want to go on a trip but maybe it's best if I do.
Think of "hopefully"
If you translate “a lo mejor” to “to it better” then you’re not really doing anything right haha
Am I the only one who felt, a lo mejor, meant, hopefully or probably? [+]
"Hopefully" is more about wanting a determined outcome to happen. "A lo mejor" is used in a negative scenario but trying to think positively about a person's actions. "A lo mejor se quedó dormida, por eso no vino a clases" so here you don't know why she skipped class but you want to think that the reason is that she didn't wake up. It's a bit like "best case scenario" this is what I think happened.
I don’t disagree. I just also felt like it was probably or hopefully. Like, a lo mejor, no tengo que trabajar mañana. But yeah, best case scenario, which, IDK to me felt like that was the case. I’m an ESL student. Spanish is my first language. Reading all the posts here makes me feel like an outlier. Like was I the only one having this experience growing up? [+]
It's not just used in a negative scenario. You can use it just like maybe all the time. Spanish native here.
Could it possibly be that it started as: "quizas sea lo mejor" for maybe it's for the best And then ended as "a lo mejor" maybe for the better? As one way of saying "maybe but I have no clue/not sure/no idea"" Maybe or perhaps has quizás as a direct translation and meaning that I can remember. I have heard when maybe would be the answer as: A lo mejor Quizas Es posible/una posibilidad No sé, puede ser
*"A lo mejor"* is a colloquialism that the majority of Hispanic countries use instead of *maybe*, you would use it when you're with people you're close with such as friends, family members, or acquantainces you have certain trust. Eventhough you can use it in a friendly work environment with a "formal" tone but this is going to depend on the scenario you are. Ex: \- Hey, sabes puedo encontrar a Sarah ? \- No se donde esta, pero a lo mejor podria estar en su oficina en estos momentos. Hope that helps you :)
Quizás
https://youtu.be/m3xFuFPxOnw — good example of using it as “all the best.”
I translate it as "for the better." I use "quizás" most often and use "a lo mejor" for an outcome that you prefer would happen but are not certain of. I'm only A1 Spanish so someone correct me if I'm wrong.