GRAMMAR
〜まい
will probably not
intend not to
Explanation
NOTE
〜まい has two meanings: ① probably won't V (negative conjecture), and ② I won't V (strong negative intention).
二度と嘘はつくまい。
I won't tell a lie ever again.
Sense ②: a firm personal resolution not to do something.
彼はもう来まい。
He probably won't come anymore.
Sense ①: a negative guess about something.
NOTE
〜まい is a formal, somewhat literary expression. In modern speech, 〜ないだろう or 〜ないつもりだ are more common, but まい still appears in writing, news, and emphatic statements.
NOTE
For Group 1 verbs (う-verbs), attach まい directly to the dictionary form (行く → 行くまい, 飲む → 飲むまい).
STRUCTURE
V1辞
まいあの店には二度と行くまい。
Ano mise ni wa nido to ikumai.
I will not go to that store ever again.
今日は雨は降るまい。
Kyou wa ame wa furumai.
It probably won't rain today.
もう酒は飲むまいと決めた。
Mou sake wa nomumai to kimeta.
I've decided I won't drink alcohol anymore.
NOTE
For Group 2 verbs (る-verbs) and irregular verbs, attach まい to the ない-stem (食べる → 食べまい, する → しまい, 来る → 来まい). The dictionary form (食べるまい, するまい, 来るまい) is also acceptable, especially for Group 2.
STRUCTURE
V2/V3ない
まいもう二度と遅刻はしまい。
Mou nido to chikoku wa shimai.
I will not be late ever again.
彼女は今夜来まい。
Kanojo wa kon'ya komai.
She probably won't come tonight.
失敗を恐れて、もう挑戦はしまいと思った。
Shippai o osorete, mou chousen wa shimai to omotta.
Fearing failure, I thought I would not try again.
Practice exercises
1
彼がこの計画に参加すれば、失敗するおそれがあるまい。
If he participates in this plan, there will probably not be a risk of failure.
Answer
あるまい
2
どうやら彼は私たちの助けを必要とするまい。
Apparently, he will probably not need our help.
Answer
必要とするまい
3
一度裏切られた人は、もう二度と信用するまいと決意した。
Someone who has been betrayed once has resolved to never trust again.
Answer
信用するまい信用すまい
4
彼の性格からして、人の意見を簡単に受け入れるまい。
Given his personality, he will probably not easily accept others' opinions.
Answer
受け入れるまい
5
二度と繰り返すまいと心に誓ったに違いない。
I must have sworn in my heart that I will never repeat it again.
Answer
繰り返すまい