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かも知れない. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
かも知れない, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
かも知れない in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
かも知れない you have here. The definition of the word
かも知れない will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
かも知れない, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
Etymology
This is a compound phrase of the interrogative particle か (ka, used to form questions, also used as a coordinating particle similar to English whether), the inclusive particle も (mo, “even, also”) plus the negative potential non-past form 知れない (shirenai, literally “can not know”) of the verb 知る (shiru, “to know something”), all together literally meaning “can not even know whether ”.[1]
Pronunciation
Particle
かも知れない • (ka mo shirenai)
- may, might, perhaps
- 雨降るかもしれない。
- Ame furu ka mo shirenai.
- It cannot even be known whether it will rain. → It might rain.
References