How to Say Maybe in Japanese – The Bunpo of Kamoshirenai

SIMPLE FORM + KAMOSHIRENAI – probably verb

In Japanese, to say that something is very likely to happen in the future or to say that something has probably already happened, we use the word ~kamoshirenai. Both Japanese nouns and Japanese verbs in plain form (ie Base III) can be used to which we can attach one of three variable endings that vary in politeness.

When used after nouns or verbs in plain form, KAMOSHIREMASEN means: maybe noun, maybe verb, could have been noun, could have been verb, or probably noun, or probably verb, etc. Although by definition KAMO itself is the word for duck, the origin or roots of the word KAMOSHIREMASEN come primarily from the verb to know, or SHIRU. In this case, SHIRENAI means unable to know. The KA and MO pose even more uncertainty when put together because KA is the question mark (?) particle, and MO is the particle as well.

KAMO without SHIRENAI or SHIREMASEN is less polite but still understandable. It is allowed to use KAMO only when talking to close friends or acquaintances. However, since saying just KAMO is less polite, beginners should avoid saying it. It’s best to always use the more polite form KAMOSHIREMASEN, but it’s okay to say KAMOSHIRENAI when in the company of close friends, etc.

If you were to listen to 10 minutes of any random Japanese conversation, you would most likely or probably (pun intended) hear the word KAMOSHIRENAI within that time. KAMOSHIRENAI is always used in Japanese conversation. Base III verbs are equivalent to what is known as the simple form of the verb, sometimes designated in JPPGG© Ghetto Grammar as PF

Verb (Base III) + KAMOSHIRENAI – more common, but less polite

Verb (Base III) + KAMOSHIREMASEN – more polite

Verb (Base III) + KAMO – less polite and funny to the ear

1. TORARETA KAMOSHIREMASEN

could have been stolen

2. SOTSUGYO^SHISO?

SURU KAMOSHIRENAI

Are you going to graduate?

C’est possible! (Maybe!)

3. SON WA KAMO KAMO

It’s a duck, probably.-o-

Most likely it’s a duck.-o-

It is probably a duck.-etc.

4. OISHII KAMO NE!

It probably tastes pretty good! (It is not like this?)

(Tasty duck hunh~)

As always, Ganbatte Ne! Do your best!

Makurasuki Sensei.