Translation guide
The English modal verb 'might' has several core uses: expressing possibility, making polite suggestions, indicating a past or hypothetical possibility, and forming polite requests. Japanese expresses these through various grammatical patterns, adverbs, and sentence endings, not a single word.
It might rain.
You might want to rest.
Expressing that something is possible, but not certain, in the present or future.
The most common and neutral way to express 'might'. Attaches to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns. Can be shortened to かも in casual speech.
It might rain tomorrow.
Literally 'there is a possibility'. More formal and objective than かもしれない. Used in news, reports, and careful speech.
There might be an earthquake.
An adverb meaning 'possibly' or 'by any chance', often used with かもしれない for emphasis. Conveys a slight chance.
Making a polite suggestion or offering a tentative idea.
A common pattern for 'Why don't you...?' or 'You might want to...'. The 〜たら is the conditional form. Can be made more casual with 〜たらどう？ or more polite with 〜てはいかがですか。
Expressing that something was possible in the past but did not happen, or a hypothetical past situation.
The past tense of かもしれない, used when the possibility existed in the past. Often implies the thing didn't happen.
Asking for permission politely, similar to 'May I...?' or 'Might I...?'.
The standard polite way to ask 'May I...?' or 'Might I...?'. The 〜て form plus もいいですか. More casual: 〜てもいい？
Might I sit here?
Expressing that there is no better alternative, so one should do something.
Literally 'it would be better to...', used when comparing unfavorable options. Implies 'might as well'.
かもしれない expresses uncertainty (50% or less). だろう expresses conjecture with more confidence (maybe 70-80%). はずだ expresses expectation based on reasoning (should be). Use かもしれない when you are not sure.
He might come. (uncertain)
He might have already gone home.
ひょっとすると、彼は来ないかもしれない。
He might not come, by any chance.
You might want to take a break.
You might try talking to him.
Literally 'it might be better to...'. A softer, more indirect suggestion than 〜たらどうですか.
You might want to take an umbrella.
He might have had an accident. (but he didn't)
The past form of 可能性がある, used in formal contexts.
The plan might have failed.
A more formal and polite version of 〜てもいいですか, often used in business or service situations.
Might I use the restroom?
We might as well go and see rather than wait here.
Means 'have no choice but to...', often used when resigning to a situation, similar to 'might as well'.
Nobody's here, so I might as well go home.
He will probably come. (conjecture)
He should come. (expectation)
To say 'I might have died' (but I didn't), use 〜かもしれなかった or 〜ところだった. Using 〜かもしれない alone would mean it's still possible.
I might have died. (but I didn't)