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.
雨が降るかもしれない。
It might rain.
休んだらどうですか。
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.
明日は雨が降るかもしれない。
It might rain tomorrow.
彼はもう帰ったかもしれない。
He might have already gone home.
Literally 'there is a possibility'. More formal and objective than かもしれない. Used in news, reports, and careful speech.
地震が起こる可能性がある。
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.
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.
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。
少し休んだらどうですか。
You might want to take a break.
彼に相談してみたらどう？
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.
傘を持って行った方がいいかもしれない。
You might want to take an umbrella.
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.
彼は事故に遭ったかもしれなかった。
He might have had an accident. (but he didn't)
The past form of 可能性がある, used in formal contexts.
その計画は失敗する可能性があった。
The plan might have failed.
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？
ここに座ってもいいですか。
Might I sit here?
A more formal and polite version of 〜てもいいですか, often used in business or service situations.
お手洗いをお借りしてもよろしいですか。
Might I use the restroom?
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'.
ここで待つより、行ってみた方がましだ。
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'.
誰もいないから、帰るしかない。
Nobody's here, so I might as well go home.
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.
彼は来るかもしれない。
He might come. (uncertain)
彼は来るだろう。
He will probably come. (conjecture)
彼は来るはずだ。
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.
死ぬところだった。
I might have died. (but I didn't)