まい
Meanings
Auxiliary verb
1. probably not; probably won't; probably doesn't; probably isn't
2. intend not to; will not
3. trying not to; attempting not to (as ~とする)
4. whether you ... or not; whether one does ... or not (as ...(よ)うが...~が or ...(よ)うと...~と)
5. couldn't you?; won't you?; how about? (as ~か; indicates request or invitation)
6. it's not as if ..., so; it's not like; it's not as though (as(では/でも)ある~し)
7. would surely not ... (if); would never ... (and yet) (as(ある)~に; indicates counterfactuality)
8. surely not; there's no way that (as(では/でも)ある~に; indicates reproach; oft. at sentence end)
Pitch accent
まい
Examples74
もう 言う まい。
I'll say no more.
雨 が 降ろう と 降る まい と、 私 は 計画 を 変えない。
Whether it rains or not, I won't change my plan.
彼 は 怒り を 見せ まい とした。
He tried to hold back his anger.
私達 は 金持ち で は ある まい し。
It isn't as if we were rich.
そんな うわさ は 誰も 信じ まい。
Nobody will believe that rumor.
彼 は 来る まい と わたし は 思った。
I thought he wouldn't come.