JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N4 grammar · Chapter 12

~かな

Wonder aloud in casual conversation

You'll be able to express uncertainty, ask yourself a question, or consider what to do.

Illustration of the scene described by I wonder if the bus will come soon.
Read it first

バスはもうすぐ来くるかな。

basu wa mousugu kuru kana.

What do you think this sentence means?

I wonder if the bus will come soon.

Why it means that

Wonder aloud

~かな expresses a casual question to yourself or a softly expressed uncertainty. It can be heard by others, but is less direct than asking them a polite question.

Example

鍵かぎはどこかな。

kagi wa doko ka na.

I wonder where my key is.

How it is built

Form and use ~かな

Use 来くるかな or 大丈夫だいじょうぶかな. The speaker’s uncertainty is central. It is usually too casual for a respectful direct inquiry to a customer or teacher.

Plain clause / Noun / な-adjective stem+かな
Examples

鍵かぎはどこかな。

kagi wa doko ka na.

I wonder where my key is.

これで大丈夫だいじょうぶかな。

kore de daijoubu ka na.

I wonder if this will be all right.

Examples

週末しゅうまつ、天気てんきいいかな。

shuumatsu, tenki ii kana.

I wonder if the weather will be nice this weekend.

田中たなかさんは、パーティーに来くるかな。

tanaka-san wa, paatii ni kuru kana.

I wonder if Tanaka-san will come to the party.

この服ふく、ちょっと高たかいかな。

kono fuku, chotto takai kana.

I wonder if these clothes are a bit expensive.

7 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.