まさかとは思おもうが

expression

I doubt it, but ...; I find it hard to believe, but ...; it's a long shot, but ...

Used to introduce a possibility that the speaker thinks is unlikely but still worth considering. Often followed by a conditional or a request to check something just in case.

• まさかとは思おもうが、念ねんのため確かく認にんしておこう。

  I doubt it, but let's check just in case.

• まさかとは思おもうが、彼かれが犯はん人にんかもしれない。

  I find it hard to believe, but he might be the culprit.