Might (~kamoshirenai)
〜かもしれない
~かもしれない expresses possibility or uncertainty — 'might,' 'may,' or 'perhaps.'
Pattern
Verb (plain form) + かもしれない | i-adj + かもしれない | na-adj + かもしれない | Noun + かもしれない | Casual: ~かも
Explanation
~かもしれない is used to express that something is possible but uncertain. It indicates a lower degree of certainty than ~だろう or ~はずだ. The speaker acknowledges a possibility without committing to it.
It follows the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives (without だ in casual speech, with かもしれない), and nouns (without だ). In casual speech, it is often shortened to ~かも. In polite speech: ~かもしれません.
This expression is very commonly used in everyday Japanese. It is softer than making a direct statement and is often used when the speaker wants to hedge or is genuinely unsure. It can refer to present, future, or past possibilities.
Examples
明日は雨が降るかもしれない。
あしたはあめがふるかもしれない。
ashita wa ame ga furu kamoshirenai.
It might rain tomorrow.
この仕事は難しいかもしれません。
このしごとはむずかしいかもしれません。
kono shigoto wa muzukashii kamoshiremasen.
This job might be difficult.
彼は来ないかも。
かれはこないかも。
kare wa konai kamo.
He might not come. (casual)
あの人は日本人かもしれない。
あのひとはにほんじんかもしれない。
ano hito wa nihonjin kamoshirenai.
That person might be Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Wrong
雨だかもしれない
Correct
雨かもしれない
Nouns attach directly to かもしれない without だ.
Wrong
静かだかもしれない
Correct
静かかもしれない
Na-adjectives also drop だ before かもしれない in modern usage.
Wrong
降るかもしれる
Correct
降るかもしれない
The expression is always かもしれない (negative form). There is no positive かもしれる form.
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