～まい

mai

Will not; probably not

N2JLPT

Formation 接続

V dictionary + まい; ichidan／する also stem + まい
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.

Explanation 説明

Can express either negative intention or a negative conjecture, depending on subject and context.

Examples 例文

二度にどとうそをつくまいと決きめた。

I decided that I would never tell a lie again.
二度にどと秘密ひみつを漏もらすまいと決きめた。

I decided that I would never reveal the secret again.
二度にどと約束やくそくを破やぶるまいと決きめた。

I decided that I would never break a promise again.
二度にどと仲間なかまを裏切うらぎるまいと決きめた。

I decided that I would never betray one's teammates again.
二度にどと責任せきにんを放棄ほうきするまいと決きめた。

I decided that I would never abandon one's responsibilities again.

How related patterns differ 比較

まい can express negative intention or conjecture; まいか can convey uncertainty. ものやら wonders about something hard to know. というわけではない rejects an interpretation, も何も rejects a premise, and と思いきや introduces a surprising reversal.

Pattern	Meaning	Example
～まい	Will not; probably not	二度にどとうそをつくまいと決きめた。 I decided that I would never tell a lie again.
～それにしても	Even so; nevertheless	会議かいぎが長ながいとは聞きいていた。それにしても、四時間よじかんは長ながすぎる。 I had heard that the meeting would be long. Even so, four hours is too much.
～まいか	Might it not; I wonder if	このままでは、会議かいぎが中止ちゅうしになるのではあるまいか。 At this rate, might the meeting end up being canceled?
～と思いきや	Just when one thought; contrary to expectation	会議かいぎは中止ちゅうしかと思おもいきや、予定よていどおり行おこなわれた。 I thought the meeting might be canceled, but it went ahead as planned.
～も何も	Anything of the kind; no question of	会議かいぎの結果けっかも何なんも、まだ始はじまっていないよ。 There is no question of results for the meeting; it has not even started yet.

Formation 接続

Explanation 説明

Examples 例文

How related patterns differ 比較

Related grammar lessons

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