Might with 〜かもしれない

Grammar: Possibility » 〜かもしれない

〜かもしれない expresses possibility or uncertainty: “might/may/could.” The colloquial shortened form is 〜かも.

かもしれない combines 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”.

Usage

Conveys low-to-moderate certainty (speaker is not confident).

Formation

1. Clause + (の) + かもしれない
   • 明日(あした)は雨(あめ)が降(ふ)るかもしれない。
   • "It might rain tomorrow."
2. Clause + (の) + かも（casual)
   • 彼(かれ)はもう帰(かえ)ったのかも。
   • "He might have already gone home."

Examples

Might appear bigger with 〜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.

リゼ:

「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」

Might get along with 〜かもしれない

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

ティッピー:

「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」

Might have similar tastes with 〜かもしれない

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

ココア:

「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」

Supplemental Examples

Sometimes pretending to be someone else with 〜ことがある

Grammar

三ツ星カラーズ » Volume 8 » Page 107