Japanese word

かしら

Pronunciation

Romajikashira

Meaning

  • particleI wonder

Example

明日は晴れるかしら。楽しみです。asu wa ha re ru ka shi ra tano shi mi de su

I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow. I am looking forward to it.

Illustration for かしら (I wonder)

More examples

この答えで合っているかしら、先生に確認してみます。ko no kota e de a tte i ru ka shi ra sen sei ni kaku nin shi te mi ma su

I wonder if this answer is correct, so I will check with the teacher.

Core concept

Adds a sense of wondering to a statement without making it a firm claim or a forceful request for information.

Common phrases

  • どうかしらdō ka shi ra

    I wonder how it is

  • 本当かしらhon tō ka shi ra

    I wonder if it is true

  • 何かしらnan ka shi ra

    I wonder what it is

Similar words

かなkana: Adds a sense of wondering to a statement and is common in neutral or masculine speech.

Definition in Japanese

文末に置いて、話し手の疑問や推測をやわらかく表す終助詞。bun matsu ni o i te hana shi te no gi mon ya sui soku o ya wa ra ka ku arawa su shū jo shi

Word origin

かしら (kashira) is historically related to か知らぬ (ka shiranu), literally "whether I know"; its shortened form became a sentence-final marker for uncertainty.

Usage tips

  • The English "I wonder" can be used by speakers of any gender, while かしら (kashira) may sound feminine or somewhat old-fashioned depending on the speaker and situation.

Other meanings

  • do you think?particle

Word lists with this word