かしら
I wonder
Structure
Explanation
The particle かしら is derived from the older expressions か知らぬ and かしらん, which both mean something like 'I don't know if...'. Today, かしら is used on its own as a sentence ending particle to show the speaker's uncertainty, similar in function to かも.
You can add かしら to the end of nearly any clause or sentence to indicate a feeling of wonder or uncertainty.
- この席は空いてるかしら。I wonder if this seat is available.
- 彼は時間どおりに着くかしら。I wonder if he'll arrive on time.
Caution
While its original forms, か知らぬ and かしらん, could be used by anyone, in modern Japanese かしら has a strong feminine nuance. Consequently, it is primarily used by women and rarely by men.
Examples
あの店はまだ開いているかしら。
I wonder if that shop is still open.
この荷物を運んでくれないかしら。
I wonder if someone could help me carry this luggage.
ここで写真を撮ってもいいかしら。
I wonder if it's alright to take pictures here.
この本は厚いから、一日で読めるかしら。
This book is thick, so I wonder if I can read it in one day.
この地図はちょっと古いみたい。ちゃんと着けるかしら。
This map seems a bit old. I wonder if we'll be able to get there properly.
コンサートのチケット、取れるかしら。
I wonder if I'll be able to get concert tickets.
わたしもいつか、ネイティブみたいに日本語が話せるようになるかしら。
I wonder if I'll also be able to speak Japanese like a native speaker someday.
彼はいまごろどこにいるかしら。
I wonder where he is around now.
宝くじに当たったら、何を買おうかしら。
If I won the lottery, I wonder what I would buy.
料理が下手なので、おいしく作れるかしら。
I'm not good at cooking, so I wonder if I can make this delicious.
これ、試着してもいいかしら。
I wonder if it's okay to try this on.
あのレストランは人気だし、値段も高いし、予約が要るかしら。
That restaurant is popular and expensive; I wonder if we need a reservation.
バスは時間どおりに来るかしら。
I wonder if the bus will come on time.