ISORI

〜かな

JLPT N3:

I wonder

At the end of a sentence, かな means "I wonder…". It is casual, and often said to yourself.

How to form it

  • Add かな to a plain sentence: 雨(あめ)が降(ふ)るかな (I wonder if it'll rain).
  • Nouns and な-adjectives take it directly, with no だ: 本当(ほんとう)かな.
  • With ない, it expresses a hope: 早(はや)く来(こ)ないかな (I wish they'd hurry up and come).

Examples

明日(あした)、雨(あめ)が降(ふ)るかな。

I wonder if it'll rain tomorrow.

これでいいかな。

I wonder if this is OK.

Notes

  • In polite speech, use でしょうか: 雨(あめ)が降(ふ)るでしょうか.

Common mistakes

  • Using it in formal speech or writing.

Similar meaning