may

[meɪ]

aux vb

1) (possibility)

* it may rain later — 等会儿可能要下雨 [děnghuǐ'r kěnéng yào xiàyǔ]

* we may not be able to come — 我们可能来不了

* he may be out — 他可能出去了

* he may have hurt himself — 他可能伤了自己

* the coat may be worn with or without the hood — 外套可以连帽穿也可以不连帽穿

2) (permission)

* may I come in? — 我可以进来吗？ [wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma?]

* may I offer you a glass of wine? — 给你来一杯酒好吗？

* you may go now — 你现在可以走了

3) (conceding)

* I may be old, but I'm not stupid — 我也许是老了，但绝不愚蠢 [wǒ yěxǔ shì lǎole, dàn juébù yúchǔn]; (expressing wishes) 祝愿 [zhùyuàn]

* may you be very happy together! — 祝愿你们百年好合！

4) (in expressions)

* you may as well go — 你不妨也去 [nǐ bùfáng yěqù]

* come what may — 无论发生什么事