acaso

perhaps

adverb ah-KAH-soh Rare

Also means

by chance

Usage Note

Acaso is a formal or literary adverb meaning 'perhaps' or 'possibly', more elevated than quizá(s) or a lo mejor. In a rhetorical question it adds a tone of indignation or emphasis (¿acaso crees que soy tonto? — do you really think I'm stupid?). Por si acaso (just in case) is a very common everyday phrase that learners should memorise as a chunk.

Examples

"Por si acaso, lleva un paraguas."

Natural Translation

Just in case, take an umbrella.

Free starter pack

Building your Spanish vocabulary?

Get the 100 most common Spanish words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.

Related Words

Explore Spanish by topic

SpanishNow

How to Tell Time in Spanish: A Beginner's Guide

Tell time in Spanish with one formula: es la una vs son las, y and menos for minutes, plus de la mañana, en punto, and 24-hour station times.

June 9, 2026 5 min read

SpanishNow

How to Memorize Spanish Vocabulary Fast (That Sticks)

Memorize Spanish vocabulary fast with a 15-minute daily loop: spaced repetition, frequency-first words, and example-sentence cards that actually stick.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

Spain vs Latin American Spanish: Key Differences

Spain and Latin American Spanish are fully mutually intelligible. Compare vosotros vs ustedes, coche vs carro, the 'th' sound, and learn which one to study.

June 9, 2026 6 min read

SpanishNow

You're Welcome in Spanish: Beyond De Nada

You're welcome in Spanish is more than de nada. Learn con gusto, no hay de qué, a la orden and more — and which to use by region and how formal the moment is.

June 3, 2026 6 min read