かも知れない

• 読み: かもしれない
• ローマ字: kamoshirenai
• 漢字の分解: 知 (shi) — to know
• 発音: /ka.mo.ɕi.ɾe.na.i/

意味

Maybe; perhaps; might be. Expresses uncertainty or possibility about something.

An expression attached to the end of a plain-form verb, adjective, or noun to indicate possibility. More uncertain than だろう and less formal than かもしれません. In casual speech, often shortened to かも. Very frequently used in everyday conversation to soften statements or express doubt.

例文

1. 明日は雨が降るかも知れない。
2. あの店はもう閉まったかも知れない。
3. 彼女の言うことは正しいかも知れない。

使い方ガイド

場面: daily conversation, speculation, planning

トーン: tentative

起源と歴史

Derived from the particle かも (perhaps) combined with 知れない (cannot be known), literally meaning 'it cannot be known whether.' The expression evolved from classical Japanese epistemic markers.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal