まい
Meanings
- Auxiliary verb probably not; probably won't; probably doesn't; probably isn't
- intend not to; will not
- trying not to; attempting not to (as ~とする)
- whether you ... or not; whether one does ... or not (as ...(よ)うが...~が or ...(よ)うと...~と)
- couldn't you?; won't you?; how about? (as ~か; indicates request or invitation) See also: 真烏賊 (マイカ). See also: 佳 (か).
- it's not as if ..., so; it's not like; it's not as though (as(では/でも)ある~し)
- would surely not ... (if); would never ... (and yet) (as(ある)~に; indicates counterfactuality)
- surely not; there's no way that (as(では/でも)ある~に; indicates reproach; oft. at sentence end)
- must not; don't; shall not (indicates prohibition; oft. as ~ぞ)
Example sentences
- 君が行こうと行くまいがそんなことは、たいしたことではない。
It makes no difference whether you go or not. - 君がそれを信じようと信じまいと僕にはどうでも良い。
It makes no difference to me whether you believe it or not. - 君がそれを信じようと信じまいと僕にはたいした違いはない。
It makes little difference to me whether you believe it or not. - 気に入ろうが入るまいが、君は行かねばならない。
Whether you like it or not, you have to go. - 火星へ旅行できる日も遠くはあるまい。
It won't be long before we can travel to Mars.
Words containing まい
- もうまい ignorant
- 身じまい (みじまい) dressing oneself (e.g. to go out)
- 信じようと信じまいと (しんじようとしんじまいと) believe it or not
And 5 more.