may
Derived from Old English 'mæg', meaning 'to be able to'.
VERB
(1)
[/meɪ/en-US]
puede
literal
/
podría
formalconditional
/
tendrá la posibilidad de
conditional
/
untranslatable
untranslatable
(The exact nuance of 'may' in expressing permission or a possibility does not have a single equivalent in all contexts in SPANISH.)
May is a modal auxiliary verb used to express permission, possibility, or a wish. When expressing permission, it indicates that something is allowed, often in a more formal or polite context than 'can'. When indicating possibility, it suggests that something is likely or could happen, often implying less certainty than 'will'. For expressing a wish or hope, 'may' is typically used at the beginning of a sentence, often with inverted subject-verb order.
irregular note only if irregular
- You may leave now if you have completed your tasks. — Granting permission to depart.
- It may rain later this afternoon, so don't forget your umbrella. — Indicating the possibility of rain.
- May you have a long and prosperous life! — Expressing a strong wish or hope.
register: formal
NOUN
(1)
[/meɪ/en-US]
mes
temporal
/
untranslatable
untranslatable
(The term 'may' as a noun does not have a direct equivalent in SPANISH and is typically used in a different context.)
The fifth month of the year in the Gregorian calendar, following April and preceding June. It typically marks a period of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
| plural |
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| mays |