まいmai“will not; will probably not; intend not to; must not”

まい means will not; will probably not; intend not to; must not ~. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that the speaker firmly resolves not to do something, or confidently predicts something will not happen.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that the speaker firmly resolves not to do something, or confidently predicts something will not happen, まい is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does まい mean?

Use まい when you want to express that the speaker firmly resolves not to do something, or confidently predicts something will not happen.

Natural translations include:

• will not; will probably not; intend not to; must not ~

How to form まい

Verb (る-form) + まい / Verb (ない-form) + まい

Examples of the pattern:

• 行くまい
• 言うまい

When is まい used?

Use まい in situations like:

• expressing firm negative intention or conjecture

Tone and register:

• formal/literary; conveys strong resolve
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

まい example sentences

• もう二度と、そんなことは言うまい。 — I will never say such a thing again.
• 彼はもう来るまい。 — He probably won’t come anymore.
• こんな失敗は二度と繰り返すまい。 — I will never repeat a mistake like this again.
• その話は誰にも話すまいと決心した。 — I made up my mind not to tell anyone about it.
• 彼が本当のことを言うことはあるまい。 — He is unlikely to tell the truth.

After reading each sentence, ask what job まい is doing: the speaker firmly resolves not to do something, or confidently predicts something will not happen.

Nuance of まい

The key nuance is the speaker firmly resolves not to do something, or confidently predicts something will not happen.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with ないだろう, it carries a different weight and implication.

まい vs ないだろう

まい:

• the speaker firmly resolves not to do something, or confidently predicts something will not happen

ないだろう:

• probably won’t (colloquial/neutral)

Quick contrast examples:

• もう言うまい。
• もう言わないだろう。

Common mistakes with まい

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with まい, then rewrite it with ないだろう. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is まい on the JLPT?

Yes. まい is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for まい

• Use まい in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of まい is necessary.
• Compare まい with ないだろう in your own example.

Learning path for まい

To learn まい efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form まい without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with ないだろう.
3. Finally, write sentences where まい is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ものか / もんか — because it also strongly denies that something will happen
• っこない — because it also emphatically denies possibility
• どうせ — because it also conveys resignation and negative outlook

Learn まい with Hane

If you want to review まい together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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