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Thread: ...а может и выть, и нет

  1. #1
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    ...а может и выть, и нет

    Hi!

    Would you help me with the highlited part of the sentence? I have no idea how to translate it.

    Возможно, ты зашёл на наш сайт случайно, а может и выть, и нет.
    Antonio1986 likes this.

  2. #2
    Завсегдатай Throbert McGee's Avatar
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    I would assume that "выть" is a typo for "быть", in which case I'd translate the highlighted part as "which may or may not be true."

    If "выть" was the intended spelling, however, then it could be translated as "...and one might even howl, and not," but it sounds rather nonsensical.
    Antonio1986 and George1992 like this.
    Говорит Бегемот: "Dear citizens of MR -- please correct my Russian mistakes!"

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    Завсегдатай maxmixiv's Avatar
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    Correct spelling is indeed "а может быть и нет" which means "а может быть и не случайно".
    "Быть" can be omitted: "а может и нет".

    может , может быть are illustrated well in these lyrics:
    Детские песенки «А может быть ворона» - текст и слова песни в караоке на karaoke.ru
    Antonio1986 likes this.
    "Невозможно передать смысл иностранной фразы, не разрушив при этом её первоначальную структуру."

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    Moderator Lampada's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by maxmixiv View Post
    "...Важно, чтобы форум оставался местом, объединяющим людей, для которых интересны русский язык и культура. ..." - MasterАdmin (из переписки)



  5. #5
    Увлечённый спикер bytemare's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by George1992 View Post
    Hi!

    Would you help me with the highlited part of the sentence? I have no idea how to translate it.

    Возможно, ты зашёл на наш сайт случайно, а может и выть, и нет.
    "... but maybe not."
    George1992 likes this.

  6. #6
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    Thank you!

    You are right. It was a typo and made me laugh when reading the whole sentence again

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    I hear that "может быть" is also phrase meaning "maybe", "probably". Is that right? Could you tell me a sentence or some sentences from everyday speech with this phrase?

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    Властелин iCake's Avatar
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    Yes, может быть is maybe, probably.

    - Я не могу найти ключи.
    - Может быть ты их на работе оставил?

    - Давай куда-нибудь сходим, только я не знаю куда именно.
    - Может быть сходим в кино?
    George1992 likes this.
    I do not claim that my opinion is absolutely true.
    If you've spotted any mistake in my English, please, correct it. I want to be aware of any mistakes to efficiently eliminate them before they become a habit.

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