JLPT N2
まい
Will probably not / Vow not to
Structure
Verb dictionary form まい
How it works
まい is a literary or formal auxiliary verb used to express a strong negative intention (vow not to) or a negative conjecture (will probably not). For Ichidan (Group 2) verbs, it can attach to the dictionary form or the stem, whereas for Godan (Group 1) verbs, it typically attaches to the dictionary form. It essentially acts as the negative version of '～だろう' or '～よう'.
Examples
あんな失礼な店には、二度と行くまい。
I shall never go to such a rude shop again.
彼には私の悩みなどわかるまい。
He probably wouldn't understand my worries.
本当のことを言おうか言うまいか、一晩中悩んだ。
I agonized all night over whether to tell the truth or not.
Common mistakes
For the verb 'to do' (する), it is commonly used as 'するまい' or 'しまい', and for 'to come' (くる), it is 'くるまい' or 'こまい'. Avoid using it in casual conversation as it sounds very stiff or dated.
Tip
Think of まい as 'probably not' when the subject is 3rd person, and 'won't ever' when the subject is 1st person (I/we).
More JLPT N2 grammar
See まい in real Japanese
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