Translation guide
The English word 'may' has several distinct uses: expressing possibility, asking for or giving permission, expressing a wish, and some formal or fixed expressions. This guide covers the most common ways to express these in natural Japanese.
Expressing that something is possible or might happen.
The most common and neutral way to say 'may' or 'might' in Japanese. Attach to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, or nouns.
明日は雨が降るかもしれない。
It may rain tomorrow.
彼はもう家に着いたかもしれない。
He may have already arrived home.
Casual, shortened form of かもしれない. Common in everyday speech.
それ、いいかも。
That might be good.
More formal and explicit way to say 'there is a possibility'. Used in writing or formal speech.
計画が遅れる可能性がある。
The plan may be delayed.
Used to express that something happens occasionally or is a possibility among others. Attach to dictionary form of verb.
週末は映画を見ることもある。
I may watch a movie on weekends.
Asking for or giving permission.
The standard way to ask or give permission. Use ～てもいいですか for questions, ～てもいいです/よ for granting.
ここに座ってもいいですか。
May I sit here?
帰ってもいいよ。
You may go home.
More formal than ～てもいい. Often used when the speaker doesn't mind something.
窓を開けても構いませんか。
May I open the window?
Very formal, often used by superiors granting permission. Common in business settings.
お帰りになってよろしいです。
You may leave now. (polite)
Expressing a wish or hope, often in formal or fixed expressions.
Used when praying or wishing for something. Often used with 願う or at the end of a wish.
成功しますように。
May you succeed.
平和が訪れますように。
May peace come.
Casual way to express hope that something happens. Often used with ね.
明日晴れるといいね。
I hope it's sunny tomorrow. (May it be sunny tomorrow.)
Acknowledging a point while introducing a contrasting idea, similar to 'may ... but'.
Used to concede a point before contrasting. 'It may be ... but ...'
彼は若いかもしれないが、経験は豊富だ。
He may be young, but he has a lot of experience.
Formal written pattern meaning 'although it may be said that...'. Used in essays or formal arguments.
便利とはいえ、問題もある。
Although it may be convenient, there are problems.
In English, 'may' is often used for permission and 'can' for ability, but in casual English 'can' is used for permission too. In Japanese, ～てもいい is used for permission, while できる is for ability. Be careful not to use できる when asking for permission.
ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか。
May I take a picture here?
彼は泳げる。
He can swim.
The polite form of かもしれない is かもしれません. Use it in formal situations or with superiors.
会議は延期されるかもしれません。
The meeting may be postponed.
あなたは正しいかもしれない。
You may be right.