modal verb · A2 · Very Often · both

may

мочь

Meaning of may

possibility or permission

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How important is this word
A2Very Often

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Pronunciation
EN-UK/meɪ/
EN-US/meɪ/
may
may - мочь
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may with Russian translation

may usage examples

🇩🇪DE🇬🇧EN

You may borrow my book.

🇩🇪DE🇬🇧EN

It may rain this afternoon.

Learn by topic

may belongs to the topic "Top 300". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

maydürfen
cankönnen
willwerden
ought-
couldkonnte
wouldwürde
shouldsollte

may synonyms

Related words worth learning together

can
More common for general ability and informal permission than may.
could
Often weaker or more tentative than may; used for polite requests and past ability.
might
Usually weaker and less certain than may.
be able to
Expresses ability or successful performance, not permission.
be allowed to
Focuses on permission or rules, not possibility.
Learn 5 related words for free
🇬🇧en

More common for general ability and informal permission than may.

A2Very Often

You can leave now.

🇬🇧en

Often weaker or more tentative than may; used for polite requests and past ability.

A2Very Often

It could be true.

🇬🇧en

Usually weaker and less certain than may.

A2Very Often

It might snow tonight.

🇬🇧en

Expresses ability or successful performance, not permission.

A2Often

She is able to solve the problem.

B
🇬🇧en
be allowed to

Focuses on permission or rules, not possibility.

A2Often

You are allowed to park here.

What’s the difference

Related words and lists for may

Questions about this word

may meaning: what does it mean?

possibility or permission

may pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

may is pronounced as /meɪ/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

may definition and sentence examples: how is it used in a sentence?

You may borrow my book. Translation: Ты можешь взять мою книгу.

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