Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 23/23

まいWon't, Intend not to, Probably not

する→しまい/するまい/すまい・くる→きまい/くるまい/こまい

Structure

Verb + まい
Verb［stem］+ まい

Details

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    Formal

About まい

The auxiliary verb まい is used in Japanese to express negative volition. This means that in many ways, it is the opposite of う and よう, which are the auxiliary verbs that express positive volition. まい connects to the base form of verbs, and is considered slightly formal.

まい may be translated as 'won't (A)', 'to intend not to (A)', or 'probably not (A)'. It can be considered as a condensed way of expressing ～ないだろう.

Caution

When appearing with する or 来(く)る, it is also common to see まい connected to the conjunctive form as しまい, すまい, きまい and こまい. However, the standard するまい and 来(く)るまい are also quite common structures.

Examples

--:--

    あの店(みせ)は行列(ぎょうれつ)がすごすぎる。もう行(い)くまい。

    The line at that shop is too crazy. I probably won't go again.

    税金(ぜいきん)が高(たか)いから、この町(まち)には住(す)むまい。

    I don't intend to live in this town because the taxes are high.

    私(わたし)のせいでものすごい苦情(くじょう)だ。もう失敗(しっぱい)するまい。

    I caused the terrible grievances. I intend not to fail again.

    あの人(ひと)の話(はなし)は下品(げひん)だ。二度(にど)と聞(き)くまい。

    That person's stories are vulgar. I probably won't listen to them a second time.

    昨日(きのう)飲(の)みすぎてしまったので、二度(にど)と酒(さけ)は飲(の)むまい。

    Because I drank too much last night, I don't intend to drink ever again.

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