かな (kana)

Meaning & usage

かな at the end of a sentence shows the speaker is wondering to themselves, like I wonder if or I wonder what, and with a negative form such as ないかな it can sound like a soft hope or gentle request. It follows a plain form clause, including verbs like 行くかな or 行ったかな, i-adjectives like 暑いかな, and nouns or na-adjectives like 元気かな. It is casual and inward, so it is not used to ask someone a direct question.

Example sentences 6

1. どっちに行いけばいいのかな？

   Which way should I go?

2. 明日もまだ暑いかな？

   Will it still be hot tomorrow?

3. あのバス、エアコンがついてるかな？

   Does that bus have air conditioning?

4. あの音は何だったのかな。

   What was that noise?

5. いくらかお金を貸してもらえないかな？

   Can you lend me some money?

6. この靴は長持ちするかな。

   I wonder if these shoes will last well.