synonym Comparative
ひょっとすると
VS
到底
Differences Between "ひょっとすると" and "到底"
Option A
ひょっとすると
Meaning
perhaps, possibly, maybe, by any chance
Reading
ひょっとすると (hyottosuru to)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
ひょっとすると、明日は雪が降るかもしれない。
It might snow tomorrow, possibly.
Option B
到底
Meaning
(not) possibly, (not) by any means, (not) at all (with negative verb)
Reading
とうてい (toutei)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
この量の仕事を一人で今日中に終わらせるのは到底無理だ。
It's absolutely impossible to finish this amount of work by myself today.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(perhaps, possibly, maybe, by any chance)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- ひょっとすると: Adverbial phrase. Expresses a possibility or a slight chance that something might happen or be true. Similar to 「もしかしたら」 but can sometimes imply a more unexpected or remote possibility. Often followed by 「かもしれない」.
- 到底: Always used with a negative verb or phrase, meaning 'absolutely impossible,' 'no way,' or 'cannot possibly.' It strongly emphasizes the impossibility. (常に否定形と一緒に使い、「どうしても～ない」「とても～できない」という強い不可能を表す。)
- ひょっとすると: Adverbial phrase. Expresses a possibility or a slight chance that something might happen or be true. Similar to 「もしかしたら」 but can sometimes imply a more unexpected or remote possibility. Often followed by 「かもしれない」.
- 到底: Always used with a negative verb or phrase, meaning 'absolutely impossible,' 'no way,' or 'cannot possibly.' It strongly emphasizes the impossibility. (常に否定形と一緒に使い、「どうしても～ない」「とても～できない」という強い不可能を表す。)
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