Video
Let’s watch this short video for a quick overview.
Source: gokigen japanese official YouTube Channel
Introduction
Wondering how to say “maybe,” “might,” or “may have” in Japanese? The expression you need is (short [plain] form) + かもしれません. It lets you talk about possibilities and uncertainty in a single, elegant phrase. Let’s dive in!
1. Structure and Meaning
Pattern: (short [plain] form of verb/adjective/noun) + かもしれません
Meaning: might ~ / may ~ / may have ~
| Type | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | 雪が降るかもしれません。 | It might snow. |
| い-adj. | 高いかもしれません。 | It may be expensive. |
| な-adj. | 便利かもしれません。 | It might be convenient. |
| Noun | 彼は学生かもしれません。 | He may be a student. |
The nuance: your guess is uncertain and based on limited information—less confident than でしょう (deshō).
2. How to Form It
- Take the short/plain form (affirmative or negative, any tense).
- Add かもしれません (polite) or just かも (casual).
| Type | short / plain form | + かもしれません |
|---|---|---|
| affirmative | 食べる (ru-verb, to eat) 読む (u-verb, to read) 勉強する (irr. verb, to study) 先生 (noun, teacher) 高い (i-adj., expensive) 便利 (na-adj., convenient) | 食べるかもしれません。 読むかもしれません。 勉強するかもしれません。 先生かもしれません。 高いかもしれません。 便利かもしれません。 |
| negative | 食べない 読まない 勉強しない 先生じゃない 高くない 便利じゃない | 食べないかもしれません。 読まないかもしれません。 勉強しないかもしれません。 先生じゃないかもしれません。 高くないかもしれません。 便利じゃないかもしれません。 |
| past | 食べた 読んだ 勉強した 先生だった 高かった 便利だった | 食べたかもしれません。 読んだかもしれません。 勉強したかもしれません。 先生だったかもしれません。 高かったかもしれません。 便利だったかもしれません。 |
If you need a refresher, check out our guide on short / plain forms here.
Casual shortcut ～かも
The casual かも is often used when the speaker is really unsure, or to soften a statement. It is used in close relationships. It’s better to avoid using it with superiors or people you’re meeting for the first time.
- 明日、家に遊びに行くかも。
→ I might come over to your place tomorrow. - 彼は もう来ないかもね。
→ He might not come anymore.
3. Example Sentences
- もう22時ですが、彼氏はまだ会社にいるかもしれません。
It’s already 10 p.m., but my boyfriend might still be at the office. - 最近は暑いですね。でも、今日は暑くないかもしれません。
It’s been hot lately, hasn’t it? But it might not be hot today. - その映画は思ったより長いかもしれません。
That movie might be longer than we expected. - あ、宿題を忘れたかも。
Oh, I might have forgotten the homework. (casual) - 公園の桜は 来週までに散るかもしれません。
The cherry blossoms in the park may fall by next week. - クーポンがなかったら、この店に来なかったかもしれません。
If I hadn’t had a coupon, I might not have come to this store.
4. Practice Time!
Convert the hints into ～かもしれません sentences.
| Situation | Hint | Answer (one possible) |
|---|---|---|
| You hear coughing next door. | かぜ (cold) | 隣の人は風邪かもしれません。 |
| Clouds are getting dark. | あめ (rain) | もうすぐ雨が降るかもしれません。 |
| Your friend Takeshi hasn’t replied for hours. | いそがしい (busy) | たけしさんは忙しいのかも。 |
| A plate in a shop looks pricey. | たかい (expensive) | このお皿は高いかもしれません。 |
Challenge: Write three original “might” sentences about your day!
5. Similar Expression: ～でしょう／～だろう
でしょう／だろう also shows conjecture but sounds more confident than かもしれません.
- 明日は晴れるでしょう。/ 晴れるだろう。 It will probably be sunny (speaker expects it).
- 明日は晴れるかもしれません。 It may be sunny (speaker less sure).
6. Similar Expression: みたいです／ようです
| Feature | かもしれません | みたいです／ようです |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Logical guess, limited info | Visual/audible evidence |
| Example | 財布を忘れたかもしれません。 (I might have forgotten my wallet.) | 彼は忙しいみたいです。 (He looks busy.) |
7. Common Mistakes
- Using the polite long form before かもしれません
❌ 雨が降りますかもしれません → ✅ 雨が降るかもしれません - Over-using でしょう when you’re unsure
If confidence is low, choose かもしれません. - Forgetting tense consistency
Past guess? Use past short form: 行ったかもしれません.
8. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- QWhat’s the main difference between 〜かもしれません and 〜でしょう / 〜だろう?
- A
Both express conjecture, but they indicate different levels of speaker confidence:
- 〜かもしれません: Indicates a lower level of certainty (around 30-50% probability). The speaker is truly unsure and is presenting a possibility based on limited information or a guess. It feels softer and more hesitant.
- 〜でしょう / 〜だろう: Indicates a higher level of certainty (around 70-90% probability). The speaker has strong reasons to believe something is true or will happen, or they are making a confident prediction. 〜だろう is the casual form of 〜でしょう.
- QCan I use 〜かもしれません to talk about things that might have happened in the past?
- A
Yes, absolutely! You simply use the plain past tense of the verb or adjective before 〜かもしれません.
Example: 彼はもう家に着いたかもしれません。 (Kare wa mō ie ni tsuita kamoshiremasen.) – “He might have already arrived home.”
- QIs 〜かもしれません polite enough for formal settings or with superiors?
- A
Yes, 〜かもしれません is considered polite and neutral, making it perfectly acceptable for formal settings, business conversations, or when speaking with superiors. It conveys a professional level of uncertainty. The casual 〜かも should be reserved for close friends and family.
- QWhat’s the difference between 〜かもしれません and 〜みたいです?
- A
The key difference lies in the basis of your guess:
- 〜かもしれません: Your guess is based on logical reasoning, limited information, or general knowledge. You are stating a potential fact.
Example: 財布を忘れたかもしれません。 (Saifu o wasureta kamoshiremasen.) – “I might have forgotten my wallet.” (Based on a mental check, logical deduction). - 〜みたいです: Your guess is based on direct observation or sensory evidence (what you see, hear, or feel). You are describing what appears to be the case.
Example: 彼は忙しいみたいです。 (Kare wa isogashii mitai desu.) – “He looks/seems busy.” (Based on observing his actions, facial expression).
- 〜かもしれません: Your guess is based on logical reasoning, limited information, or general knowledge. You are stating a potential fact.
- QWhat’s the difference between 〜かもしれません and 〜みたいです?
- A
The key difference lies in the basis of your guess:
- 〜かもしれません: Your guess is based on logical reasoning, limited information, or general knowledge. You are stating a potential fact.
Example: 財布を忘れたかもしれません。 (Saifu o wasureta kamoshiremasen.) – “I might have forgotten my wallet.” (Based on a mental check, logical deduction). - 〜みたいです: Your guess is based on direct observation or sensory evidence (what you see, hear, or feel). You are describing what appears to be the case.
Example: 彼は忙しいみたいです。 (Kare wa isogashii mitai desu.) – “He looks/seems busy.” (Based on observing his actions, facial expression).
- 〜かもしれません: Your guess is based on logical reasoning, limited information, or general knowledge. You are stating a potential fact.
Conclusion
Now you can:
- ✅ Attach かもしれません to any short form to express possibility
- ✅ Distinguish it from でしょう and みたいです
- ✅ Avoid common pitfalls and sound naturally uncertain when you need to
🎯 Try it now: Think of three future plans that are not yet fixed. Describe them using かもしれません. Good luck, and もしかしたら、あなたの日本語はもう上手かもしれません！
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