もしかすると

• Reading: もしかすると
• Romaji: moshikasuruto
• Pronunciation: /mo.ɕi.ka.sɯ.ɾɯ.to/

Meaning

Perhaps; maybe; possibly. Expresses uncertainty about something that might happen.

An adverb used to introduce a possibility the speaker is not sure about. Often paired with かもしれない at the end of a sentence for natural flow. Part of a family of similar expressions: もしかして (slightly more casual), もしかしたら (common alternative), and ひょっとすると (more literary). All express roughly the same degree of uncertainty.

Examples

1. もしかすると明日は雨かもしれない。 Maybe it'll rain tomorrow.
2. もしかすると彼はもう帰ったのかな。 Perhaps he's already gone home.
3. もしかすると来月から転勤になるらしい。 Possibly, I might be transferred starting next month.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, speculation, planning

Tone: uncertain

Origin & History

From もし (if) + か (question particle) + する (to do) + と (conditional). Literally 'if it happens that...' — a conditional construction that became a fixed adverbial expression indicating possibility.

Cultural Context

Era: Early Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal