Japanese word

もしかしたら

Pronunciation

Romajimoshikashitara

Meaning

  • adverbmaybe

Example

もしかしたら明日は雨が降るかもしれません。mo shi ka shi ta ra asu wa ame ga fu ru ka mo shi re ma se n

Maybe it will rain tomorrow.

Illustration for もしかしたら (maybe)

More examples

もしかしたら、その本は図書館にあるかもしれません。mo shi ka shi ta ra so no hon wa to sho kan ni a ru ka mo shi re ma se n

Maybe that book is in the library.

Core concept

Presents an event as one possible outcome while leaving its occurrence uncertain.

Common phrases

  • もしかしたら雨かもしれないmo shi ka shi ta ra ame ka mo shi re na i

    maybe it will rain

Similar words

たぶんtabun: Shows that something is likely but not certain.
ひょっとしたらhyottoshitara: Introduces a possibility that seems unexpected or less likely.
おそらくosoraku: Shows a strong belief that something is likely, often based on a reason.

Definition in Japanese

確実とはいえないが、ある事柄が起こる可能性があることを表す語。kaku jitsu to wa i e na i ga a ru koto gara ga o ko ru ka nō sei ga a ru ko to o arawa su go

Word origin

もしかしたら (moshikashitara) is built from もし (moshi, "if"), the particle か (ka, "uncertainty"), and したら (shitara, "if it happens").

Usage tips

  • This adverb commonly introduces a possibility in conversation, while the rest of the sentence states what may happen.

Opposites

  • きっとkittosurelyadverb

Word lists with this word