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.
It may rain tomorrow.
He may have already arrived home.
Casual, shortened form of かもしれない. Common in everyday speech.
More formal and explicit way to say 'there is a possibility'. Used in writing or formal speech.
The plan may be delayed.
Used to express that something happens occasionally or is a possibility among others. Attach to dictionary form of verb.
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.
May I sit here?
You may go home.
More formal than ～てもいい. Often used when the speaker doesn't mind something.
May I open the window?
Very formal, often used by superiors granting permission. Common in business settings.
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.
May you succeed.
May peace come.
Casual way to express hope that something happens. Often used with 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 ...'
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.
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.
May I take a picture here?
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.
The meeting may be postponed.
You may be right.
That might be good.