かもしれない
解説 Definition
may は、〜かもしれない、〜してもよいという意味を表す助動詞です。可能性を表すときや、許可をていねいに表すときに使います。
A modal verb used to express that something is possible, or to give or request permission in a polite or formal way. It is followed by the base form of another verb and does not take an ending for the third-person singular.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
助動詞 may は主語の後、動詞の原形の前に置き、It may rain のように「〜かもしれない」という可能性を表します。You may use it なら丁寧・やや改まった許可です。過去形由来の might は通常、可能性をより控えめに示します。月名 May とは同じ綴りでも別語源で、助動詞には三単現の -s を付けません。
Place may after the subject and before the base form of a verb: “It may rain” means that rain is possible, while “You may use this pen” grants permission in a polite or formal way. Remember that modal may never becomes “mays” for a third-person subject and is not followed by “to.” Might is historically its past form but often signals a more tentative possibility in present-day English. Also separate the modal may from May, the month name: they share a spelling, but they have different histories and grammatical roles.
例文
It may rain.
雨が降るかもしれません。
She may be at home.
彼女は家にいるかもしれません。
You may use this pen.
このペンを使ってもよいです。
may の類義語・関連語
may の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 Māius（マーイウス月）に由来し、ローマ神話の豊穣の女神 Maia（マイア）の名に因む。助動詞の may は別語源で、古英語 magan「力がある」から。関連語: might（力・かもしれない）、main（主要な）。
The modal verb may comes from Old English magan, meaning “to be able” or “to have power.” Its historical past form developed into might. The name of the month May is a separate word, derived through Latin Maius and associated with Maia; that history does not explain the modal verb. Modern may developed from the ideas of ability and power into possibility and permission.
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