もしかして

も

し

か

し

て

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

adverb

perhaps; maybe; by any chance

usually written using kana alone

Expresses a tentative guess or possibility, often used when asking a question or making a suggestion. Similar to もしかすると but slightly more casual.

See also: もしかすると

もしかして、田た中なかさんですか？
By any chance, are you Mr. Tanaka?

もしかして、雨あめが降ふるかもしれない。

Perhaps it might rain.

2

adverb

if; in case; in the event that

usually written using kana alone

Used to introduce a hypothetical condition, often with a sense of 'if it happens that...'. Less common than sense 1 and can sound slightly formal or literary.

もしかして彼かれが来こなかったら、私わたしが代かわりに行いきます。
If he doesn't come, I'll go instead.