When attaching 〜まい to a verb, it indicates that the speaker believes something will probably not happen, or that they have no intention of doing something. It's often used when you're quite sure about a negative outcome or a negative decision. For example, if you say 「もう二度とあの店へは行くまい」 (I will never go to that store again), you are expressing a strong intention not to return. This expression conveys a sense of determination or a strong prediction about something not occurring.
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
私はそこへは行くまい。
I probably won't go there.
Verb dictionary form + まい for first person negative conjecture.
彼はもう来るまい。
He probably won't come anymore.
Verb dictionary form + まい for third person negative conjecture.
そんなことはするまい。
I won't do such a thing.
Verb dictionary form + まい expressing strong negative intention.
彼女は嘘をつくまい。
She probably won't lie.
Verb dictionary form + まい for third person negative conjecture.
この本は面白くなかろう。
This book is probably not interesting.
Adjective + くあるまい (archaic) or -くなかろう (more common) for negative conjecture with adjectives. This example uses a common alternative.
明日は雨が降るまい。
It probably won't rain tomorrow.
Verb dictionary form + まい for negative conjecture.
彼はそんなことを言うまい。
He probably won't say such a thing.
Verb dictionary form + まい for third person negative conjecture.
私は二度と失敗するまい。
I won't fail a second time.
Verb dictionary form + まい expressing strong negative intention.
सुझाव
Basic Meaning of ~まい
The suffix 〜まい is used to express two main ideas: 1) a negative conjecture (it probably won't happen, or I guess it won't happen), or 2) a negative intention (I won't do it, I shall not do it). Understanding these two core uses is crucial for proper application.
Conjugation Rule 1: Verbs
For Godan verbs (五段動詞), attach 〜まい to the dictionary form. For example, 行く (iku) becomes 行くまい (iku mai - probably won't go / I won't go). This is the most straightforward form.
Conjugation Rule 2: Ichidan Verbs & 来る/する
For Ichidan verbs (一段動詞), and the irregular verbs 来る (kuru - to come) and する (suru - to do), you can attach 〜まい to either the dictionary form or the stem form (minus 〜る for Ichidan, or 〜る/〜する for irregulars). For example, 食べる (taberu) can be 食べるまい or 食べまい. する can be するまい or しまい. Both are acceptable, but the stem form often sounds a bit more formal or decisive.
Emphasis on Speaker's Will
When 〜まい expresses negative intention, it strongly conveys the speaker's personal will not to do something. It's a bit stronger and more formal than simply saying 〜ない (nai) or 〜ません (masen). Consider the nuance of determination.
Common Phrases with 〜まい
You'll often hear 〜まい in phrases like 二度と〜まい (nido to ~mai - I'll never ~ again) or するまいとする (suru mai to suru - to try not to do). Recognizing these common patterns will help you understand and use it more naturally.
Formal and Literary Tone
〜まい has a somewhat formal, literary, or archaic feel, especially in spoken Japanese. While important to recognize, avoid overusing it in casual conversation unless you aim for a specific dramatic effect. In everyday speech, 〜ないだろう (nai darou - probably won't) or 〜つもりはない (tsumori wa nai - don't intend to) are more common alternatives.
Distinguishing Conjecture and Intention
The context usually makes it clear whether 〜まい expresses conjecture or intention. If the subject is a third person, it's usually conjecture (e.g., 彼は来ないだろう - Kare wa konai darou - He probably won't come). If the subject is first person (I/we), it can be either, but intention is more common in direct statements. Pay attention to the subject of the sentence.
Negative Conjecture with でしょう/だろう
For negative conjecture, 〜ないだろう (nai darou) or 〜ないでしょう (nai deshou) are more common and less formal than 〜まい. These are good options to use when you want to express 'probably not' in everyday situations. Think about the level of formality you need.
Example: Negative Intention
二度と失敗するまい。 (Nido to shippai suru mai.) - I will not fail again. (Strong personal resolution.) Here, the speaker expresses a firm intention not to repeat a mistake.
Example: Negative Conjecture
彼はそんなことを言うまい。 (Kare wa sonna koto o iu mai.) - He probably won't say such a thing. (Guessing about someone else's action.) This illustrates a conjecture about a third party.
खुद को परखो 42 सवाल
The speaker will not go.
He probably will not come.
She will not eat.
Read this aloud:
私は行かない。
Focus: いかない (ikanai)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼は来ないだろう。
Focus: こない (konai)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼女は食べない。
Focus: たべない (tabenai)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are making plans with a friend, but it starts raining. Write a sentence saying, "I probably won't go out today."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今日は出かけまい。
You are considering eating a very spicy dish, but decide against it, thinking it will be too hot. Write a sentence saying, "I won't eat that very spicy food."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
あの辛い食べ物は食べまい。
You see a difficult exam question. Write a sentence saying, "I probably won't understand this problem."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この問題は分かるまい。
What does the sentence imply about 'he'?
Read this passage:
彼はもう来ますまい。道が混んでいるからです。
What does the sentence imply about 'he'?
〜まい expresses negative conjecture, meaning 'probably not'. The reason given is 'the road is crowded'.
〜まい expresses negative conjecture, meaning 'probably not'. The reason given is 'the road is crowded'.
What is the speaker's feeling about the difficult thing?
Read this passage:
そんな難しいことは私にはできまい。
What is the speaker's feeling about the difficult thing?
できまい combines できる (can do) with 〜まい (negative conjecture), so it means 'probably cannot do'.
できまい combines できる (can do) with 〜まい (negative conjecture), so it means 'probably cannot do'.
What does the sentence suggest about 'she'?
Read this passage:
彼女は二度とここには来るまい。
What does the sentence suggest about 'she'?
二度と (never again) combined with 来るまい (will not come/probably not come) strongly indicates she won't return.
二度と (never again) combined with 来るまい (will not come/probably not come) strongly indicates she won't return.
This sentence expresses a negative conjecture about someone not coming. 「彼」means 'he', 「は」is a topic particle, 「来ない」means 'will not come', and 「まい」adds the nuance of 'probably not'.
This sentence expresses a strong negative intention, meaning 'I will not do such a thing'. 「私」means 'I', 「は」is a topic particle, 「そんなこと」means 'such a thing', 「は」is a contrast particle, 「する」means 'to do', and 「まい」indicates a negative intention.
This sentence expresses a negative conjecture, meaning 'This is probably not true'. 「これ」means 'this', 「は」is a topic particle, 「本当」means 'true', 「では」is a particle indicating 'not', 「ある」means 'to be', and 「まい」adds the nuance of 'probably not'.
Choose the sentence where 〜まい expresses negative intention.
〜まい can express either negative conjecture (probably not) or negative intention (will not). Option A clearly shows the speaker's intention that 'He will never come here again.'
Which sentence uses 〜まい to express negative conjecture?
Option C '明日は雨が降るまい' means 'It probably won't rain tomorrow,' indicating a conjecture about a future event. The other options express intention.
What is the most natural way to complete the sentence: 彼はその話は___。
Adding 〜まい to '知る' (to know) forms '知るまい,' meaning 'probably doesn't know' or 'wouldn't know,' expressing a negative conjecture about his knowledge.
The sentence 'もう遅い。彼は来るまい。' means 'It's already late. He won't come.'
In this context, '来るまい' expresses negative conjecture, meaning 'probably won't come' or 'is unlikely to come.' So, the statement is true.
'私は二度とこんな間違いはすまい。' means 'I will probably make this mistake again.'
'二度とこんな間違いはすまい' expresses a strong negative intention, meaning 'I will never make this mistake again.' Therefore, the statement is false.
〜まい can only be attached to verbs.
While 〜まい is commonly attached to verbs to express negative conjecture or intention, it can also be attached to the dictionary form of certain adjectives and nouns, although less common in B1 level usage. However, the statement that it can 'only' be attached to verbs is false.
It will probably not rain today.
He probably won't come.
That probably won't happen.
Read this aloud:
彼女は嘘をつくまい。
Focus: つき
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
この計画は失敗するまい。
Focus: しっぱい
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
二度と忘れるまい。
Focus: わすれる
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The speaker is expressing disbelief that 'he' would carry out a reckless plan.
She is determined to keep a fact secret.
The speaker just swore to not repeat a mistake.
Read this aloud:
彼が約束を破るまいという気持ちは、十分理解できる。
Focus: やぶるまい
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
どんな困難があろうとも、この目標を諦めるまい。
Focus: あきらめるまい
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
彼女がまさかそんなことを言うまいと、誰もが思っていた。
Focus: いうまい
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are giving advice to a friend who is worried about a presentation. Write a short message (3-4 sentences) using 「〜まい」 to express that they shouldn't worry too much or that things probably won't go wrong.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
プレゼンテーション、緊張する気持ちはわかるけど、あまり心配する事もあるまい。君ならきっとうまくいくさ。失敗することなんてあるまいから、自信を持って。
You are reflecting on a past decision you made. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) using 「〜まい」 to express your determination not to make the same mistake again.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
あの時の判断は間違いだった。二度とこのような過ちを繰り返すまいと心に誓った。同じ失敗はすまい、と肝に銘じている。
You are discussing a rumor with a friend. Write a short dialogue (3-4 exchanges) using 「〜まい」 to express skepticism about the rumor's truthfulness.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A: あの噂、聞いた？ B: うん、聞いたけど、本当の事であるまい。信じるべきじゃないよ。 A: そうだよね、私もそう思う。根も葉もない噂であるまい。
筆者は、当初、彼の行動についてどのように考えていましたか？
Read this passage:
彼がそんな無責任な行動を取ることはあるまいと思っていたが、結局その通りになった。やはり、人間は変わらないものだ、と改めて感じた。
筆者は、当初、彼の行動についてどのように考えていましたか？
「彼がそんな無責任な行動を取ることはあるまいと思っていた」という文から、筆者が彼の無責任な行動を否定的に予想していたことがわかります。
「彼がそんな無責任な行動を取ることはあるまいと思っていた」という文から、筆者が彼の無責任な行動を否定的に予想していたことがわかります。
筆者は、この計画についてどのような見解を持っていますか？
Read this passage:
この計画は、成功の見込みがほとんどない。いくら頑張っても、結局は無駄に終わるだけであるまいか。一度、見直す必要があるだろう。
筆者は、この計画についてどのような見解を持っていますか？
「成功の見込みがほとんどない」と「無駄に終わるだけであるまいか」という表現から、成功の見込みが薄いと考えていることが読み取れます。
「成功の見込みがほとんどない」と「無駄に終わるだけであるまいか」という表現から、成功の見込みが薄いと考えていることが読み取れます。
なぜ筆者は、彼女が仕事を引き受けないと考えていますか？
Read this passage:
彼女がこの仕事を引き受けることはあるまい。なぜなら、彼女はすでに他のプロジェクトで手一杯だからだ。無理強いしても良い結果にはなるまい。
なぜ筆者は、彼女が仕事を引き受けないと考えていますか？
「彼女はすでに他のプロジェクトで手一杯だからだ」という理由が明示されています。
「彼女はすでに他のプロジェクトで手一杯だからだ」という理由が明示されています。
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning of ~まい
The suffix 〜まい is used to express two main ideas: 1) a negative conjecture (it probably won't happen, or I guess it won't happen), or 2) a negative intention (I won't do it, I shall not do it). Understanding these two core uses is crucial for proper application.
Conjugation Rule 1: Verbs
For Godan verbs (五段動詞), attach 〜まい to the dictionary form. For example, 行く (iku) becomes 行くまい (iku mai - probably won't go / I won't go). This is the most straightforward form.
Conjugation Rule 2: Ichidan Verbs & 来る/する
For Ichidan verbs (一段動詞), and the irregular verbs 来る (kuru - to come) and する (suru - to do), you can attach 〜まい to either the dictionary form or the stem form (minus 〜る for Ichidan, or 〜る/〜する for irregulars). For example, 食べる (taberu) can be 食べるまい or 食べまい. する can be するまい or しまい. Both are acceptable, but the stem form often sounds a bit more formal or decisive.
Emphasis on Speaker's Will
When 〜まい expresses negative intention, it strongly conveys the speaker's personal will not to do something. It's a bit stronger and more formal than simply saying 〜ない (nai) or 〜ません (masen). Consider the nuance of determination.
संबंधित सामग्री
संबंधित ग्रामर रूल्स
emotions के और शब्द
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
