Jump to content

まい

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Japanese

[edit]

Etymology 1

[edit]
For pronunciation and definitions of まい – see the following entries.
S
[noun] a type of traditional Japanese dance consisting of simple and quiet movements
[proper noun] a female given name
S
[noun] (archaic) something offered as a reward, either to a god or a person
6
[counter] counter for flat thin objects or sheets
2
[prefix] each, every, per
真以
[proper noun] a female given name
麻衣
[proper noun] a female given name
2
[affix] Same as いもうと (imōto) above
[proper noun] a female given name
(This term, まい (mai), is the hiragana spelling of the above terms.)
For a list of all kanji read as まい, see Category:Japanese kanji read as まい.)

Etymology 2

[edit]

From earlier まじい (majii), from classical まじ (maji).

Suffix

[edit]

まい (-mai

  1. (literary) will not, is not, is not, cannot be (indicates denial)
    いや、そんなことはあるまい
    Iya, sonna koto wa aru mai.
    No, such a thing could not be the case.
Usage notes
[edit]
  • This word is morphologically a clitic. It is classified as 助動詞 (jodōshi, auxiliary verb) in traditional Japanese grammar.
  • It attaches to the terminal form of godan verbs, but the irrealis form of ichidan verbs (although the terminal form of ichidan verbs is also seen). For the irregular verbs 来る and する, all of まい, まい, くるまい, まい (volitional), まい, and するまい (conjecture) have seen in use. This suffix always comes last, even after ます (-masu). (Usage with ます (-masu) is now dated and uncommon.)
  • Today largely replaced by a negative + だろう.

Etymology 3

[edit]
This section or entry lacks references or sources. Please help verify this information by adding appropriate citations. You can also discuss it at the Tea Room.

Alternative forms

[edit]

Suffix

[edit]

まい (-mai

  1. (Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Shizuoka, Nagano, Nagoya, verb suffix) volitive
    Synonym: (standard) (-u)
    ()まいikomailet's go
    やろまいyaromailet's do it

Etymology 4

[edit]

Adjective

[edit]

まい (mai

  1. (Tsugaru) no good
    Synonym: (standard Japanese) だめ (dame)
    ○○しねばまいね。
    ○○ Shineba mai ne.
    Gotta do X.
    まいぐね?
    Maigune?
    Isn't that no good?
    • 2021 March 29, “青森の価値を生み出す人たち~株式会社クロックアップ 代表取締役 中村公一さん~”, in 青森県庁[1]:
      (あお)(もり)だからまいね」「なにやってもまいね」
      “Aomori dakara mai ne”“Nani yatte mo mai ne”
      (please add an English translation of this example)