might; perhaps; indicates possibility (かもしれない) – Japanese Grammar かもしれない (kamo shirenai)

Q: What JLPT level is かもしれない?

JLPT N4 — Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences

Q: How do you use かもしれない in a sentence?

Attach かもしれない to the appropriate verb or noun form. Might; perhaps; indicates possibility

Q: Is かもしれない formal or casual Japanese?

かもしれない can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

かもしれない

N4 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

kamo shirenai

might; perhaps; indicates possibility

なさい nasai と to くする ku suru ていただけませんか te itadakemasen ka なら nara ことになる koto ni naru ということ to iu koto ようだ you da も mo ございます gozaimasu かな kana ではないか dewa nai ka だけで dake de ておく te oku 場合は baai wa いらっしゃる irassharu ていた te ita やっと yatto そんなに sonna ni いたします itashimasu なさい nasai と to くする ku suru ていただけませんか te itadakemasen ka なら nara ことになる koto ni naru ということ to iu koto ようだ you da も mo ございます gozaimasu かな kana ではないか dewa nai ka だけで dake de ておく te oku 場合は baai wa いらっしゃる irassharu ていた te ita やっと yatto そんなに sonna ni いたします itashimasu

🃏 Flashcard

かもしれない

kamo shirenai

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might; perhaps; indicates possibility

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N4

Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences

Reading kamo shirenai

Post ID 50710

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

might; perhaps; indicates possibility

📖 How to use it

Expresses that something might be true or might happen, equivalent to 'might' or 'perhaps'.

Attaches to Attach to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns. For nouns and na-adjectives, use the copula だ (e.g., 学生だ), then add かもしれない. For verbs, use the plain form (e.g., 行く). For i-adjectives, use the plain form (e.g., 高い). For the past tense, use the plain past form (e.g., 行った).

かもしれない is used when you are not sure about something but think it is possible. It is softer than saying 'I know' and can also express a slight worry or uncertainty. For example, if you hear a noise, you might say '誰か来たかもしれない' (Someone might have come). It is a common way to guess or speculate.

The pattern is quite flexible and can be used in both speech and writing. In casual conversation, you will often hear it shortened to 'かも' (since the full form is a bit long), but 'かもしれない' itself is still natural in everyday talk. It is not as formal as 'かもしれない' in written essays, but it is acceptable in most situations.

One thing to remember: do not use the polite form of the verb before it. You cannot say '行きますかもしれない'. Instead, use the plain form: '行くかもしれない'. This is a common mistake for learners.

明日は雨が降るかもしれない。

Ashita wa ame ga furu kamo shirenai.

It might rain tomorrow.

彼はもう来ないかもしれない。

Kare wa mou konai kamo shirenai.

He might not come anymore.

それは高いかもしれないけど、買いたい。

Sore wa takai kamo shirenai kedo, kaitai.

That might be expensive, but I want to buy it.

Not だろう / でしょうだろう also expresses probability, but it is stronger and implies a higher chance (~probably). かもしれない expresses a lower possibility, like 'might'. Also, だろう is often used with rising intonation to seek agreement, while かもしれない does not have that nuance.

Register Neutral; used in both conversation and writing, though in very formal writing you might prefer 'かもしれない' over 'かも', but it is not overly casual.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

かもしれない

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat かもしれない three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using かもしれない. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N4 Patterns

← Previous

かい

turns a sentence into a yes/no question

かな

I wonder; should I?

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern かもしれない mean? ▼

Might; perhaps; indicates possibility

What JLPT level is かもしれない? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N4 — Upper-Beginner · Forming complex sentences. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use かもしれない in a sentence? ▼

Attach かもしれない (kamo shirenai) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is かもしれない formal or casual Japanese? ▼

かもしれない is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember かもしれない long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.