目錄
When you encounter a sentence such as “二度と同じ失敗は繰り返すまい” while reading Japanese, you can probably infer from the context that it means something like “I will never make the same mistake again.” But if you memorize “まい” simply as a more formal version of “ない,” you will quickly run into trouble when you see “彼は来るまい,” because the first sentence expresses a firm decision, while the second predicts that someone probably will not come.
“まい” is no longer something people casually use all the time in ordinary conversation, but it still appears in novels, commentary, speeches, and relatively formal writing. Its two main functions are negative volition, meaning “I will not do it” or “I will never do that again,” and negative conjecture, meaning “it probably will not happen.” Both may be translated simply as “will not” in English, so when reading Japanese, you still need to check whether the person in the sentence is actually capable of making that decision and whether there are clues such as “決める,” “誓う,” or “思う” in the surrounding context.
What Does Japanese “まい” Mean? Distinguishing Negative Volition from Negative Conjecture
“まい” mainly has two meanings. The first is negative volition, in which the speaker decides not to do something. Depending on context, it can be translated as “I do not intend to…,” “I will never…,” or “I will not do that again.” The second is negative conjecture, in which the speaker judges that something probably will not happen. This is similar to the more neutral “〜ないだろう.”
The subject can serve as a useful clue, but it is not an absolute rule. A first-person subject combined with an action the person can control is very likely to express negative volition. A third-person subject, natural phenomenon, or event outcome is more likely to express negative conjecture. However, a novel can also say “彼は二度と戻るまいと決めた,” in which case “まい” still represents that character’s own determination even though the author is narrating it in the third person. This is why you also need to look for following expressions such as “決める,” “誓う,” and “思う.”
- Example: 二度と同じ失敗は繰り返すまい。
Kana: にどとおなじしっぱいはくりかえすまい。
Translation: I will never make the same mistake again.
Although the subject is omitted, “二度と” combined with the controllable action “繰り返す” strongly suggests that the speaker is expressing a personal resolution. - Example: この程度の雨で試合が中止になることはあるまい。
Kana: このていどのあめでしあいがちゅうしになることはあるまい。
Translation: The game probably will not be cancelled because of this amount of rain.
The sentence is judging the likelihood of the game being cancelled, so this is negative conjecture. - Example: 彼ほど約束を大切にする人はいるまい。
Kana: かれほどやくそくをたいせつにするひとはいるまい。
Translation: There is probably no one who values promises as much as he does.
“いるまい” does not mean that someone has decided “not to exist.” The speaker is judging that another such person probably cannot be found.
Japanese “まい” Conjugation Rules: How Do Godan Verbs, Ichidan Verbs, “する,” and “来る” Connect?
The conjugation of “まい” is more complicated than many beginner-level grammar patterns because traditional grammatical forms and forms widely used in modern Japanese coexist. Godan verbs basically take “まい” after the dictionary form, such as “書くまい” and “行くまい.” Ichidan verbs traditionally attach “まい” to the irrealis stem, producing forms such as “見まい” and “食べまい,” while modern Japanese also widely accepts “見るまい” and “食べるまい.”
“する” and “来る” have even more variants. With “する,” you may encounter “しまい,” “すまい,” and “するまい.” With “来る,” forms include “来（こ）まい” and “来るまい.” One point that deserves special attention is pronunciation: when “来まい” represents the irrealis form plus “まい,” it is read “こまい.” “来るまい” is the form pronounced “くるまい.”
| Verb Type | Common Connection | Examples | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Godan verb | Dictionary form＋まい | 書くまい、行くまい | Not “書かまい” |
| Ichidan verb | Stem＋まい／dictionary form＋まい | 見まい／見るまい | Both appear in modern Japanese |
| する | しまい／すまい／するまい | 二度とするまい | Several forms exist |
| 来る | 来（こ）まい／来るまい | 彼は来まい／来るまい | Pay attention to the reading of “来まい” |
“まい” Conjugation ①｜Godan Verbs Take the Dictionary Form: 書くまい, 行くまい
With godan verbs, “まい” attaches directly to the dictionary form, giving forms such as “言うまい,” “待つまい,” “書くまい,” and “戻るまい.” Even though “まい” has a negative meaning, you should not first change the verb into its ない-form or irrealis stem.
- Example: もう誰にもこの秘密を言うまい。
Kana: もうだれにもこのひみつをいうまい。
Translation: I will never tell anyone this secret again.
“言う” is a godan verb and takes “まい” directly. The sentence expresses the speaker’s determination not to reveal the secret again. - Example: 何があっても、途中で諦めるまい。
Kana: なにがあっても、とちゅうであきらめるまい。
Translation: No matter what happens, I will never give up halfway.
“諦める” is an ichidan verb, and this sentence uses the dictionary-form＋“まい” structure that is also common in modern Japanese. - Example: これだけ客が少なければ、店も長くは続くまい。
Kana: これだけきゃくがすくなければ、みせもながくはつづくまい。
Translation: With so few customers, the shop probably will not stay in business for long.
“続く” is a godan verb, and the sentence predicts the shop’s future, so “まい” expresses negative conjecture.
“まい” Conjugation ②｜Are Both “見まい” and “見るまい” Correct for Ichidan Verbs?
Traditionally, ichidan verbs attach “まい” to their irrealis form. This means “見る” becomes “見まい,” while “食べる” becomes “食べまい.” However, modern Japanese also makes extensive use of dictionary-form＋“まい,” such as “見るまい” and “食べるまい,” and Japanese dictionaries and broadcasting usage guides accept these forms as well.
For this reason, “見まい” and “見るまい” cannot be simplified into “one is correct and the other is wrong.” The former reflects the traditional grammatical connection more directly, while the latter is now widely used in modern Japanese.
- Example: この映画はもう見まいと思った。
Kana: このえいがはもうみまいとおもった。
Translation: I thought I would never watch this movie again.
“見まい” consists of the irrealis stem “見” of “見る” plus “まい” and expresses negative volition. - Example: もう彼の言葉を信じるまい。
Kana: もうかれのことばをしんじるまい。
Translation: I will never believe what he says again.
“信じるまい” uses the dictionary form＋“まい,” which is also valid in modern Japanese. - Example: これほど印象的な景色なら、一生忘れることはあるまい。
Kana: これほどいんしょうてきなけしきなら、いっしょうわすれることはあるまい。
Translation: With scenery this memorable, I probably will never forget it for the rest of my life.
The part that actually carries the negative conjecture is the final “あるまい,” not “忘れる” itself.
“まい” Conjugation ③｜What Special Forms Exist with “する” and “来る”?
“する” and “来る” cannot simply be handled with the ordinary godan or ichidan rules. With “する,” you may encounter “しまい,” “すまい,” and “するまい.” With “来る,” you may encounter “来（こ）まい” and “来るまい.” These forms differ in frequency in modern Japanese, but all of them may appear in reading.
The kana reading of “来まい” deserves particular attention. When written as “来まい” and formed from the irrealis form, it is read “こまい,” not “くるまい.”
- Example: 同じ過ちを二度とすまいと誓った。
Kana: おなじあやまちをにどとすまいとちかった。
Translation: I swore never to make the same mistake again.
“すまい” is one of the common forms of “する＋まい,” and the following “誓った” clearly marks this as negative volition. - Example: こんな失敗は二度としまいと思った。
Kana: こんなしっぱいはにどとしまいとおもった。
Translation: I thought I would never make this kind of mistake again.
“しまい” is another form that can appear when “する” combines with “まい,” so you should not automatically interpret every “しまい” as meaning “the end.” - Example: あれほどの雪なら、彼も今日中には来まい。
Kana: あれほどのゆきなら、かれもきょうじゅうにはこまい。
Translation: With that much snow, he probably will not come today either.
“来まい” is read “こまい” here. The subject is a third person, and the sentence predicts that he probably will not come that day.
Japanese “まい” Usage: Negative Volition, Negative Conjecture, and “まいと／まいか”
The two most important functions of “まい” remain negative volition and negative conjecture. In addition, “まい” frequently appears in fixed structures such as “〜まいと,” “〜ではあるまいか,” and “〜てくれまいか.” You cannot simply see “まい” and translate it as “will not”; you also need to look at the particle or expression that follows.
“まい” Usage ①｜Expressing Strong Negative Volition: “I Will Never…”
Negative-volitional “まい” commonly appears in vows, resolutions, self-reminders, and the internal thoughts of characters in novels. Compared with the ordinary “〜ないつもりだ,” “まい” is shorter and sounds more decisive, as though the speaker has firmly drawn a line. It often appears with adverbs such as “二度と,” “決して,” and “もう.”
A useful clue is whether the action is something the subject can control. Actions such as “行く,” “言う,” “諦める,” and “繰り返す” can all be decided by the person themselves, so they work naturally with negative volition.
- Example: どんなに忙しくても、家族との約束を破るまい。
Kana: どんなにいそがしくても、かぞくとのやくそくをやぶるまい。
Translation: No matter how busy I am, I will never break a promise to my family.
“約束を破る” is an action under the speaker’s control, so “まい” declares the decision not to do it. - Example: 人前で感情的になるまいと努めている。
Kana: ひとまえでかんじょうてきになるまいとつとめている。
Translation: I am trying not to become emotional in front of other people.
“〜まいと努める” means continually controlling oneself with the intention of “not becoming like that.” - Example: あの経験を決して無駄にはするまい。
Kana: あのけいけんをけっしてむだにはするまい。
Translation: I will never let that experience go to waste.
Compared with “無駄にしない,” this sounds more like a formal declaration or a firm inner resolution.
“まい” Usage ②｜Expressing Negative Conjecture: “Probably Will Not…”
Negative-conjectural “まい” is similar to the more neutral “〜ないだろう.” In this use, the sentence is not about someone deciding not to do something. Instead, the speaker judges from the available information that something is unlikely to happen. Dictionaries also list “…ないだろう” as one of the basic meanings of “まい.”
This use frequently appears in structures such as “〜ことはあるまい” and “〜はずがあるまい,” making the negative judgment stronger and more literary than an ordinary “〜ないだろう.”
- Example: これほど準備したのだから、失敗することはあるまい。
Kana: これほどじゅんびしたのだから、しっぱいすることはあるまい。
Translation: Since we prepared this thoroughly, we probably will not fail.
No one can decide through sheer will that “failure will not occur,” so this sentence predicts the result. - Example: 彼がその事実を知らないはずがあるまい。
Kana: かれがそのじじつをしらないはずがあるまい。
Translation: There is no way he does not know that fact.
“はずがあるまい” strongly rejects the possibility that “he does not know,” and sounds more literary than the ordinary “知らないはずがない.” - Example: この程度の変更で、大きな混乱が起こることはあるまい。
Kana: このていどのへんこうで、おおきなこんらんがおこることはあるまい。
Translation: A change of this scale probably will not cause major confusion.
The subject is an event outcome and has no independent will, so this can only be understood as negative conjecture.
“まい” Usage ③｜Fixed Nuances with “〜まいと” and “〜まいか”
When “まい” is followed by “と” or “か,” the function of the sentence changes further. “〜まいと” commonly appears with “思う,” “決める,” “誓う,” and “努める,” treating “not doing something” as an intention or purpose. “〜まいか” can form a negative conjectural question meaning “might it not…?” and can also develop into an invitation or polite request. Dictionaries list negative conjectural questions, invitations, and polite wishes among actual uses of “〜まいか.”
The form “〜ではあるまいか,” often seen in essays and commentary, frequently has a rhetorical effect. On the surface, it asks “could it not be…?”, but in practice it often presents the writer’s own argument.
- Example: 迷惑をかけまいと、事前に連絡を入れた。
Kana: めいわくをかけまいと、じぜんにれんらくをいれた。
Translation: I contacted them in advance so as not to cause trouble.
“迷惑をかけないように” can express a similar meaning, but “〜まいと” more strongly suggests that the person deliberately acted with the intention of “not causing trouble.” - Example: 責任を逃れようとしているのではあるまいか。
Kana: せきにんをのがれようとしているのではあるまいか。
Translation: Isn’t he trying to avoid responsibility?
“ではあるまいか” is formally a question, but in practice it carries a clear tone of suspicion and rhetorical questioning. - Example: 少し手を貸してくれまいか。
Kana: すこしてをかしてくれまいか。
Translation: Would you lend me a hand for a moment?
“〜てくれまいか” can form a polite request, but in ordinary modern conversation it sounds quite formal or old-fashioned.
What’s the Difference Between Japanese “まい,” “ないだろう,” “つもりはない,” and “ないようにする”?
“まい,” “ないだろう,” and “〜つもりはない” may all be translated using “will not” in English, but the real differences are whether the sentence deals with volition or prediction and how formal the style is. “まい” can express both negative volition and negative conjecture and has the strongest literary or formal flavor. The other three expressions state intention, prediction, or behavioral control more directly.
| Comparison | “まい” | “ないだろう” | “〜つもりはない” | “〜ないようにする” |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main function | Negative volition／negative conjecture | Negative conjecture | State that one has no intention | Try to avoid an action |
| Register | Literary, formal, novel-like | Normal speech and writing | Natural in everyday speech | Everyday speech and general writing |
| Strength of volition | Can be very strong | Usually does not express volition | Neutral statement of intention | Emphasizes ongoing self-control |
| Conjecture function | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Typical form | 二度と行くまい | 来ないだろう | 行くつもりはない | 遅刻しないようにする |
▌Difference Between “まい” and “〜つもりはない”｜Strong Resolution vs. Ordinary Intention
“〜つもりはない” simply states that the speaker currently has no intention of doing something and sounds natural in everyday conversation. “まい,” on the other hand, more readily carries the force of having firmly decided not to do something, which is why it often appears with “二度と” and “決して.”
- Example: その話を広めるつもりはない。
Kana: そのはなしをひろめるつもりはない。
Translation: I have no intention of spreading that story.
This simply states the speaker’s present intention and does not necessarily suggest that they have made a solemn resolution. - Example: その話を決して広めるまい。
Kana: そのはなしをけっしてひろめるまい。
Translation: I will never spread that story.
“決して” together with “まい” makes the sentence a strong personal declaration.
▌Difference Between “まい” and “ないだろう”｜Literary Judgment vs. Ordinary Prediction
Negative-conjectural “まい” can correspond to “〜ないだろう,” but the two differ in register. “ないだろう” is natural both in ordinary conversation and general writing. “まい” is more likely to appear in commentary, novels, formal narration, or sentences with a stronger assertive tone.
- Example: 彼は今日は来ないだろう。
Kana: かれはきょうはこないだろう。
Translation: He probably will not come today.
This is an ordinary prediction with no special stylistic effect. - Example: この天候では、彼も今日は来るまい。
Kana: このてんこうでは、かれもきょうはくるまい。
Translation: In this weather, he probably will not come today either.
The meaning is also conjectural, but “来るまい” has a stronger written and narrative feel.
▌Difference Between “まい” and “〜ないようにする”｜Drawing a Firm Line vs. Continuously Trying to Avoid Something
“〜ないようにする” commonly describes a continuing effort to avoid something, such as being late, staying up too late, or forgetting to check something. “まい” is more like drawing a line at a particular moment and declaring, “I will not do this again.”
- Example: これからは遅刻しないようにする。
Kana: これからはちこくしないようにする。
Translation: From now on, I’ll try not to be late.
The focus is on continuously controlling one’s behavior in the future. - Example: これからは決して遅刻するまい。
Kana: これからはけっしてちこくするまい。
Translation: From now on, I will never be late again.
This sounds like a firm resolution after making a mistake and is much stronger than the previous sentence.
▌Why Does “彼は来まい” Usually Not Mean “He Does Not Intend to Come”?
Without additional context, “彼は来まい” is normally understood as “He probably will not come,” because the speaker is making a prediction about a third person’s action. You cannot automatically interpret it as “he has decided not to come” simply because “来る” is a volitional verb.
However, a third-person subject does not mean that “まい” must always express conjecture:
彼は二度とここへ来るまいと決めた。
He decided never to come here again.
The following “と決めた” clearly tells the reader that the preceding “来るまい” represents that person’s own decision. So checking the subject is only the first step. You also need to look for volitional clues such as “決める,” “誓う,” and “思う.”
Comparing “まい,” “ないだろう,” and “つもりはない” in the Same Situation
- Example: 彼は今日は来るまい。
Kana: かれはきょうはくるまい。
Translation: He probably will not come today.
The speaker is making a negative conjecture, and the sentence has a literary tone. - Example: 彼は今日は来ないだろう。
Kana: かれはきょうはこないだろう。
Translation: He probably will not come today.
The meaning is close to the previous sentence, but this is a more neutral prediction in ordinary modern Japanese. - Example: 彼は今日は来るつもりはないそうだ。
Kana: かれはきょうはくるつもりはないそうだ。
Translation: I heard that he does not intend to come today.
This sentence concerns his intention, not the speaker’s prediction about whether he will come.
For this reason, you cannot choose “まい” simply because an English sentence contains “will not.” If the real meaning is “probably will not,” compare “まい” with “ないだろう.” If it means “has no intention of,” then “〜つもりはない” is the more relevant expression.
Where Does Japanese “まい” Appear Today? Actual Usage in Novels, Commentary, and Formal Writing
“まい” is no longer as common as “ないだろう” or “〜つもりはない” in ordinary conversation, but it still appears in novel narration, characters’ inner thoughts, commentary, and formal statements. Japanese-language sources also note that the use of “まい” is decreasing in modern Japanese, with many situations now expressed instead through forms such as “〜ないだろう” and “〜ないつもりだ.”
This stylistic quality can actually help when reading. When a character suddenly says “二度と〜まい,” it often signals that their attitude has become firm and resolute. When an essay uses “〜ではあるまいか,” it usually advances the writer’s own judgment rather than simply asking the reader a neutral question.
▌Situation ①｜Making a Resolution After a Mistake
A：今回のミスは記録して、次に生かそう。
こんかいのミスはきろくして、つぎにいかそう。
Let’s record this mistake and use what we learned next time.
B：同じ失敗は、もう二度と繰り返すまい。
おなじしっぱいは、もうにどとくりかえすまい。
I will never make the same mistake again.
📌 Grammar Point: B’s “繰り返すまい” is not a prediction that the speaker probably will not make the same mistake in the future. It is a personal resolution. “二度と” further strengthens the negative volition.
▌Situation ②｜Judging in Writing That the Impact Will Be Limited
A：この変更で、大きな混乱が起きるでしょうか。
このへんこうで、おおきなこんらんがおきるでしょうか。
Will this change cause major confusion?
B：影響範囲は限定的なので、大きな問題になることはあるまい。
えいきょうはんいはげんていてきなので、おおきなもんだいになることはあるまい。
The scope of the impact is limited, so it probably will not become a major problem.
📌 Grammar Point: “あるまい” denies the likelihood of a particular result becoming reality, so it expresses negative conjecture. In ordinary conversation, “大きな問題にはならないだろう” would be more common.
▌Situation ③｜Using a Rhetorical Question to Make an Argument in Commentary
A：この地域の記録を残す活動は、今も必要でしょうか。
このちいきのきろくをのこすかつどうは、いまもひつようでしょうか。
Is it still necessary to continue preserving records of this region?
B：次の世代のためにも、続けるべきではあるまいか。
つぎのせだいのためにも、つづけるべきではあるまいか。
Shouldn’t we continue it for the sake of the next generation?
📌 Grammar Point: “ではあるまいか” is formally a question, but it readily conveys the argument that “we should continue.” This construction has a more essay-like and literary tone than the everyday “〜ではないか.”
How Does Japanese “まい” Compare with Korean “-지 않겠다／-지 않을 것이다／-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다”?
Japanese “まい” does not have one fixed Korean equivalent because the same Japanese form can express both negative volition and negative conjecture. When translating it into Korean, these two functions usually need to be separated first.
When the speaker firmly decides “I will not do this,” Korean “-지 않겠다” is a useful equivalent. When the meaning is “it probably will not happen,” expressions such as “-지 않을 것이다” are closer. If the Japanese sentence uses a strong negative possibility pattern such as “〜はずがあるまい,” Korean “-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다” more closely conveys the sense of “there is no way…”.
◆ Similar Grammar ①: Korean “-지 않겠다”
“-지 않겠다” can clearly express the speaker’s intention not to do something, making it one of the closest equivalents to volitional “まい.” It commonly appears in resolutions, promises, and explicit declarations, with the key point being that the subject personally decides “not to do it.”
- Example: 두 번 다시 같은 실수를 반복하지 않겠다.
Romanization: du-beon da-si ga-teun sil-su-reul ban-bok-ha-ji an-get-da.
Translation: I will never make the same mistake again.
Like “二度と同じ失敗は繰り返すまい,” the focus is on the person having decided not to repeat the same mistake. - Example: 앞으로는 중요한 약속을 잊지 않겠다.
Romanization: a-peu-ro-neun jung-yo-han yak-sok-eul it-ji an-get-da.
Translation: From now on, I will not forget important promises again.
This is not a prediction that the person probably will not forget. It expresses a determination not to do so again and can be compared with Japanese “これからは大切な約束を忘れまい.” - Example: 무슨 일이 있어도 중간에 포기하지 않겠다.
Romanization: mu-seun il-i i-sseo-do jung-gan-e po-gi-ha-ji an-get-da.
Translation: No matter what happens, I will not give up halfway.
“무슨 일이 있어도” together with “-지 않겠다” makes the determination not to give up especially clear, closely matching “何があっても途中で諦めるまい.”
◆ Similar Grammar ②: Korean “-지 않을 것이다”
“-지 않을 것이다” can express a negative prediction about the future and is relatively close to conjectural “まい.” Here, the subject is not deciding not to do something. Instead, the speaker judges from the current situation that something probably will not happen. However, Japanese “まい” usually has a more literary tone than this Korean form.
- Example: 이 정도 비로 경기가 취소되지는 않을 것이다.
Romanization: i-jeong-do bi-ro gyeong-gi-ga chwi-so-doe-ji-neun an-eul geo-si-da.
Translation: The game probably will not be cancelled because of this amount of rain.
This corresponds to “この程度の雨で試合が中止になることはあるまい,” with both sentences predicting that cancellation is unlikely. - Example: 그는 오늘 회의에 참석하지 않을 것이다.
Romanization: geu-neun o-neul hoe-ui-e cham-seok-ha-ji an-eul geo-si-da.
Translation: He probably will not attend today’s meeting.
The speaker is predicting a third person’s behavior and can be compared with “彼は今日の会議には出席するまい.” It does not express the speaker’s own will. - Example: 이 정도의 변경으로 큰 문제가 생기지는 않을 것이다.
Romanization: i-jeong-do-ui byeon-gyeong-eu-ro keun mun-je-ga saeng-gi-ji-neun an-eul geo-si-da.
Translation: A change of this scale probably will not cause a major problem.
The subject is the result of whether a problem occurs and has no will of its own, so like Japanese “大きな問題になることはあるまい,” this is negative conjecture.
◆ Similar Grammar ③: Korean “-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다”
“-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다” means “there is no way…” or “it cannot possibly…,” and is stronger than an ordinary negative prediction. The speaker is not merely saying that something has a low probability of happening but directly excluding that possibility, making it a good comparison for strong negative judgments such as “〜はずがあるまい.”
- Example: 그가 그 사실을 모를 리가 없다.
Romanization: geu-ga geu sa-sil-eul mo-reul ri-ga eop-da.
Translation: There is no way he does not know that fact.
Like “彼がその事実を知らないはずがあるまい,” both strongly reject the possibility that he does not know. - Example: 그렇게 꼼꼼한 사람이 약속을 잊을 리가 없다.
Romanization: geu-reo-ke kkom-kkom-han sa-ram-i yak-sok-eul i-jeul ri-ga eop-da.
Translation: There is no way such a meticulous person would forget a promise.
Based on what the speaker knows about the person, the sentence judges forgetting the promise to be unreasonable. It is stronger than the simple prediction “잊지 않을 것이다.” - Example: 아직 출발도 하지 않았는데 벌써 도착했을 리가 없다.
Romanization: a-jik chul-bal-do ha-ji a-nat-neun-de beol-sseo do-chak-hae-sseul ri-ga eop-da.
Translation: They have not even left yet, so there is no way they have already arrived.
The preceding fact directly contradicts the possibility of already having arrived, so that possibility is rejected completely. “-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다” is especially natural in this kind of strongly justified negative judgment.
◆ Main Differences from Japanese “まい”:
The main difference lies in how the functions are distributed. When a person decides not to do something, Korean can use “-지 않겠다.” When predicting that something probably will not happen, Korean can use “-지 않을 것이다.” If the speaker believes that the possibility simply does not exist, “-(으)ㄹ 리가 없다” is closer. Japanese, however, may use “まい” across all of these different sentence types, so when reading, you still need to determine whether the sentence is making a declaration, a prediction, or a strong rejection of possibility.
You do not need to completely reanalyze “まい” from scratch every time you see it. When you encounter forms such as “二度と〜まい” or “決して〜まい,” they can usually be read as a personal decision not to do something. With forms such as “彼は来るまい” or “失敗することはあるまい,” the sentence is more likely estimating whether something will happen. When reading a character’s internal thoughts in a novel, however, you need a little more context. Expressions such as “〜まいと決めた” and “〜まいと誓った” explicitly reveal the person’s resolution, so even with a third-person subject, they are not simple conjectures. There is also no need to memorize every traditional conjugational form all at once. For godan verbs, first remember examples such as “書くまい” and “行くまい.” With ichidan verbs, do not be surprised to see either “見まい” or “見るまい.” For “する” and “来る,” it is enough to separately note the handful of special forms.
FAQ
“まい” mainly expresses negative volition and negative conjecture. Negative volition means something like “I do not intend to…” or “I will never…,” while negative conjecture is close to “probably will not…” or “〜ないだろう.” The actual meaning must be determined from the subject, the nature of the action, and the surrounding context.
Not exactly. “行かない” is an ordinary negative form and can describe facts, habits, or intentions. “行くまい,” on the other hand, usually conveys a strong resolution not to go or, in certain contexts, a conjecture that someone probably will not go. It is also noticeably more formal in style.
Both can be found. Traditionally, ichidan verbs take the irrealis stem＋“まい,” so “見まい” is the original grammatical form. Modern Japanese also widely uses the dictionary form＋“まい,” giving “見るまい,” and this form is accepted in dictionaries and broadcasting usage.
When written as “来まい” and formed from the irrealis stem, it is read “こまい.” The form pronounced “くるまい” is written “来るまい.” Both can express negative volition or negative conjecture, and the actual meaning still depends on context.
It is no longer especially common in ordinary everyday conversation. Many situations are now expressed with forms such as “〜ないだろう,” “〜つもりはない,” and “〜ないと思う.” “まい” still appears in novels, commentary, formal statements, and sentences expressing strong determination, so it remains important for reading comprehension.