kamoshiremasen (かもしれません): Essential Japanese “Maybe” Grammar

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 ~

For na-adjectives and nouns, the affirmative form is written without だ before かもしれません. So it looks like “short form,” but strictly speaking it’s だ + かもしれません → (だ) is dropped.

The nuance: your guess is uncertain and based on limited information—less confident than でしょう (deshō).

2. How to Form It

1. Take the short/plain form (affirmative or negative, any tense).
2. Add かもしれません (polite) or just かも (casual).

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.

• 明日あした、家いえに遊あそびに行いくかも。
  → I might come over to your place tomorrow.
• 彼かれは もう来こないかもね。
  → He might not come anymore.

3. Example Sentences

1. もう22時じですが、彼氏かれしはまだ会社かいしゃ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.
2. 最近さいきんは暑あついですね。でも、今日きょうは暑あつ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.
3. その映画えいがは思おもったより長ながいかもしれません。
   That movie might be longer than we expected.
4. あ、宿題しゅくだいを忘わすれたかも。
   Oh, I might have forgotten the homework. (casual)
5. 公園こうえんの桜さくらは 来週らいしゅうまでに散ちるかもしれません。
   The cherry blossoms in the park may fall by next week.
6. クーポンがなかったら、この店みせに来こ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.

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.

• 明日あしたは晴はれるでしょう。/ 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).

If you want to review ～でしょう, read this article: How to Say “It Will Probably…” in Japanese | Using (short) + deshou（〜でしょう）

6. Similar Expression: みたいです／ようです

If you want to review 〜みたいです and ようです, read this article: How to Use 〜みたいです and ようです in Japanese | It Looks Like / It Seems That

7. Common Mistakes

1. 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
2. Over-using でしょう when you’re unsure
   If confidence is low, choose かもしれません.
3. Forgetting tense consistency
   Past guess? Use past short form: 行ったかもしれません.

8. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

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！