Might with かもしれない

かもしれない is a combination of the interrogative particle か (questioning), the inclusive particle も (“even”), and the verb 知(しる) (“to know”) modified to the negative potential non-past 知(しれ)れない (“cannot be known”). Together, it means “cannot even be known whether”, which can be condensed to the word “might”.

See Also

• Presuming with だろう and でしょう

Alternate Explanations

The auxiliary い-adjective かもしれない (‘might’) expresses speculation or a guess on the part of the speaker. It is used with nouns and all forms of verbs and adjectives.

Kamiya, Taeko. “Expressing Conjecture and Hearsay, and Quoting People.” Japanese Sentence Patterns for Effective Communication, Kodansha, 2005, p. 219

can’t tell if ~

might

Makino, Seiichi and Michio Tsutsui. “Main Entries.” A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar, The Japan Times Ltd., 1989, pp. 173–175

Examples

Is the order a rabbit? » Volume 1 » Page 24 (Right) » Panel 2

「チノにはああいう友達(ともだち)が合(あ)ってるかもしれん」

Tippy remarks on how Cocoa adapted immediately to working in the shop. He says someone like that might get along with Chino.

Is the order a rabbit? » Volume 1 » Page 62 (Right) » Panel 4

「ふむ。ロップイヤーもいいかもしれない」

When Cocoa previously suggested Rabbit House staff wear bunny ears, Rize’s misunderstanding lead to an embarrassing mental image for her. Seeing Syaro’s uniform with a lop rabbit ear style, Rize thinks the style might be good for her imagined uniform.

Is the order a rabbit? » Volume 1 » Page 81 (Right) » Panel 1

「声(こえ)が大(おお)きければ存在(そんざい)も大(おお)きく見(み)えるかもしれない」

Due to Chino’s concerns about her height, Rize suggests that if her voice is louder, she might have a bigger appearance.

Is the order a rabbit? » Volume 1 » Page 92 (Right) » Panel 3

「私(わたし)本(ほん)の趣味(しゅみ)合(あ)うのかもしれないねっ」

At the library, Cocoa thinks she realizes which book Chino is trying to find, but forgot the title of. She suggests the two of them might have matching preferences in books.