JLPT N4 · Opinions and evidence

かもしれません

Might, may

Meaning

Expresses an uncertain guess. It shows that the speaker thinks something is possible but is not sure.

Formation

  1. Plain form + かもしれません: 降るかもしれません
  2. Nouns and na-adjectives drop だ: 雨かもしれません

When to use it

Core use
Might, may

Examples

20 sentences
  • 彼かれはその知らせしらせをまだ知らないしらないかもしれません

    He may not know that news yet.

  • この問題もんだいは少しすこし難しいむずかしいかもしれません

    This problem might be a little difficult.

  • 電車でんしゃが遅れるおくれるかもしれません

    The train may be delayed.

  • その店みせはもう閉まっているしまっているかもしれません

    That shop might already be closed.

  • 来月らいげつ東京とうきょうに引っ越すひっこすかもしれません

    I might move to Tokyo next month.

  • あのかばんは田中たなかさんのかもしれません

    That bag might be Tanaka's.

  • 今日きょうは先生せんせいが休みやすみかもしれません

    The teacher may be absent today.

12 more examples
  • この薬くすりは私わたしには強いつよいかもしれません

    This medicine might be too strong for me.

  • まだ時間じかんがあるかもしれません

    There may still be time.

  • 明後日あさっては雨あめかもしれません

    It is possible that it will rain the day after tomorrow.

  • この部屋へやは静かしずかかもしれません

    It is possible that this room is quiet.

  • この道みちは安全あんぜんかもしれません

    It is possible that this road is safe.

  • 彼かれはもう家いえに帰っかえったかもしれません

    It is possible that he has already gone home.

  • 今度こんどの試験しけんは難しいむずかしいかもしれません

    It is possible that the coming exam will be difficult.

  • その荷物にもつは重いおもいかもしれません

    It is possible that that luggage is heavy.

  • 電車でんしゃは五時ごじに着くつくかもしれません

    It is possible that the train will arrive at five.

  • 田中たなかさんは今日きょう来こないかもしれません

    It is possible that Mr. Tanaka will not come today.

  • その店みせは休みやすみかもしれません

    It is possible that that shop is closed for the day.

  • 新しいあたらしい先生せんせいは親切しんせつかもしれません

    It is possible that the new teacher is kind.

Important notes

  • かもしれない presents a possibility without asserting it as certain.

Common mistakes

  • Present nouns and な-adjectives omit だ: 雨かもしれない, 静かかもしれない.

Check yourself

Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.

  1. Sentence 1: この薬くすりは私わたしには強いつよいかもしれません

  2. Sentence 2: 今度こんどの試験しけんは難しいむずかしいかもしれません

  3. Sentence 3: 新しいあたらしい先生せんせいは親切しんせつかもしれません

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