〜まい①
Probably not/will not...
About
Similar to 「ない」, 「まい」 is an auxiliary verb that gives a verb additional meaning. まい's usage can be split into two main categories:
用法① Negative volitional: "I do not intend to do X". This type of ～まい statement indicates a strong negation. (Not covered in this entry's corresponding lesson.)
用法② Negative conjecture: "X won't.../Isn't it/Won't it?"; similar to ～ないだろう. This usage of まい is a bit old-fashioned and sounds written in tone.
This entry concerns usage ②.
まい attaches to verbs with the following patterns:
| Attachment | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Group ① - Godan verbs | For 五段 verbs, まい simply attaches directly to their dictionary form. | 取るまい |
Group ② - Ichidan verbs | For 一段 verbs, we can either attach directly to a verb's dictionary form, or we can attach to its stem form. Either way! | 見るまい・見まい |
Group ③ - Exceptional verbs | For the typical exceptional verbs, 来る and する, you have the following options: | する |
Usage ② of ～まい is mainly used in written scenarios (although it is possible in spoken casual/polite scenarios), but it has an old-fashioned feel to it, and isn't extremely common.
E.g. 散々注意されたんだからもう遅刻するまい。 "(They) were warned many times, so (they) probably won't be late anymore."
E.g. 今から家を出ても12時の授業には間に合うまい。 "Even if I leave the house now, I probably won't make it in time for my 12 p.m. class."
E.g. 宇宙人を見たと言っても、誰も信じまい。 "Even if (I) say I saw an alien, no one is likely to believe me."
「まい」 is an auxiliary verb that gives a verb additional meaning.
～まい can be used for negative conjecture, similar to ～ないだろう ("X won't.../Isn't it/Won't it?")
まい can attach to verbs in their dictionary, or stem forms, depending on whether they are godan (always dictionary) or ichidan (either are permissible); する and 来る are exceptions
Summary
Explained in
Example Sentences
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