The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language.
The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used when referring to the month of May in calendars, schedules, or conversations about time.
Note: May is the fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
～かもしれない (may, could)
Example:
It may rain tomorrow.
明日は雨が降るかもしれません。
She may come to the party.
彼女はパーティーに来るかもしれません。
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used to express possibility or uncertainty in various situations.
Note: In Japanese, this is often expressed with かもしれない, which conveys a sense of probability.
許可を示す (may, be allowed to)
Example:
You may leave the room.
部屋を出てもよいです。
May I use your phone?
電話を使ってもよろしいですか？
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used to ask for or grant permission in polite contexts.
Note: This meaning is often conveyed using the phrase 〜てもいいですか, which means 'Is it okay to...?'
意志を示す (may, will)
Example:
I may go to the store later.
後で店に行くかもしれません。
She may decide to stay home.
彼女は家にいることにするかもしれません。
Usage: informalContext: Used to express future intentions or decisions that are not yet confirmed.
Note: This usage is often interchangeable with other modal verbs like 'might' in English.
May's synonyms
Can
The modal verb 'can' is used to express ability or permission.
Example: Can I go to the store with you?
Note: While 'may' is often used to ask for permission, 'can' is more informal and is used to express ability or possibility.
Might
'Might' is a modal verb used to indicate a possibility or a suggestion.
Example: I might attend the meeting tomorrow.
Note: While 'may' and 'might' are both used to express possibility, 'might' is considered more tentative or uncertain.
Could
'Could' is a modal verb used to make polite requests or to express possibility or ability.
Example: Could you please pass me the salt?
Note: Similar to 'can', 'could' is used to ask for permission or to indicate ability, but it is more polite and formal.
Shall
'Shall' is a modal verb used to make suggestions, offer assistance, or to ask for advice or opinions.
Example: Shall we meet at 3 pm?
Note: 'Shall' is used to make suggestions or offers, while 'may' is primarily used to ask for permission.
May expressions, common phrases
May I
Used to ask for permission or make a polite request.
Example: May I borrow your pen?
Note: The phrase 'May I' is a polite form of asking permission, different from just using 'May' which is a modal verb indicating possibility or permission.
May as well
Indicates that doing something is just as good as doing nothing, implying a lack of better options.
Example: Since we have some time to spare, we may as well go for a walk.
Note: The phrase 'may as well' suggests a sense of inevitability or practicality, different from the standalone 'may' which expresses possibility or permission.
Mayday
A distress signal used in radio communication to indicate a life-threatening emergency.
Example: The distress call 'Mayday! Mayday!' alerted the Coast Guard to their emergency.
Note: The term 'Mayday' is a specific distress signal used in emergencies, different from the general use of 'may' as a modal verb.
May the best man win
An expression used to wish good luck to all parties involved and to express the hope that the most deserving person will succeed.
Example: Good luck to both teams in the final match. May the best man win!
Note: The phrase 'May the best man win' is a wish for success and fairness, distinct from the modal verb 'may' indicating possibility or permission.
April showers bring May flowers
A proverbial phrase meaning that difficult or unpleasant events can lead to positive outcomes.
Example: It's been raining a lot this month, but remember, April showers bring May flowers!
Note: The phrase 'April showers bring May flowers' is a metaphorical expression, contrasting with the literal use of 'may' as a modal verb.
May everyday (slang) expressions
Mayhem
Mayhem refers to chaos, disorder, or havoc.
Example: There was absolute mayhem at the concert when the power went out.
Note: Mayhem is more intense and dramatic than the original word 'May'.
Mayo
Mayo is a shortened form of 'mayonnaise', a popular condiment used in sandwiches and salads.
Example: Can you pass the mayo for my sandwich, please?
Note: Mayo is an informal abbreviation for 'mayonnaise'.
Mayday, Mayday
Doubling 'Mayday' is often used humorously or informally to emphasize a problem or issue.
Example: Mayday, Mayday, we have a problem here!
Note: The repetition of 'Mayday' adds emphasis and can indicate a less serious situation than a real distress call.
Mayo Clinic
Mayo Clinic is a well-known medical research and treatment institution in the United States.
Example: I have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic next week for a check-up.
Note: The term 'Mayo Clinic' is unrelated to the original word 'May'.
May - Examples
I may go to the party tonight.
May I borrow your pen?
She may be late for the meeting.
May we have some more bread, please?
May grammar
May - Auxiliary (Auxiliary) / Modal(Modal)
Lemma: may
Conjugations
Verb, base form(Verb, base form): may
Verb, past tense(Verb, past tense): might
Syllables, Separation and Stress
May Contains 1 syllables: may
Phonetic transcription: ˈmā
may , ˈmā(The red syllable is stressed)
May - Importance and usage frequency
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
May: 100 - 200 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
