かもしれない
kamoshirenai
かもしれない leaves the door open a crack
The picture A closed door pushed open just wide enough for a finger. Through that gap, another possibility can walk in. かもしれない holds the door open by a finger; はず shuts that same door with evidence.
Where the picture shows up in かもしれない
-
the gap you leave
明日は雨かもしれません。
ashita wa ame kamo shiremasen
It might rain tomorrow.
The door closing on 'fine weather' is held open a finger's width, and the sound of rain leaks through the gap.
はず closes the door with evidence; かもしれない keeps it open.
-
planning around the gap
電車が遅れるかもしれないので、早めに出ます。
densha ga okureru kamo shirenai node, hayame ni demasu
The train might be late, so I'll leave early.
Having seen the gap, you check the clock, move it forward, and leave the house earlier than usual.
-
leaving your own door open
私が間違っているかもしれませんが、もう一度確認していただけますか。
watashi ga machigatte iru kamo shiremasen ga, mō ichido kakunin shite itadakemasu ka
I may be wrong, but could you check it once more?
Their door stays shut while you push your own open by just a finger's width.
The safest way to raise a problem without blaming the other person.
-
opening a door on the past
さっきの言い方、きつかったかもしれない。
sakki no iikata, kitsukatta kamo shirenai
I might have come across too harshly earlier.
You put a hand on yesterday's already-closed door and ease it back open a crack.
-
a fingernail's width
今日はちょっと無理かも。
kyō wa chotto muri kamo
Today might be a bit much for me.
Holding the door open by a fingernail, you step back and say today would be difficult.
Bare かも is casual. With a boss, keep the full かもしれません.
All of it in one picture
かもしれない is not five meanings but one gap. Leave a gap on tomorrow's weather and rain can get in; build that gap into your plans and you leave the house early. Open only your own door and you can raise a problem without blaming anyone; ease yesterday's shut door back open and it becomes regret. Hold it to a fingernail's width and it becomes a gentle refusal. The gap is always the same size — only where you leave it changes.