may
modal
noun
noun
meɪ modal
1
POSSIBILITY
可能性
if something may happen or may be true, there is a possibility that it will happen or be true but this is not certain 可能，也许;
I may be late, so don’t wait for me.
我可能会迟到，所以不必等我。
Some chemicals may cause environmental damage.
有些化学物质可能会给环境造成破坏。
There may not be enough money to pay for the repairs.
可能没有足够的钱来支付修理费。
Well, I may have been wrong.
噢，可能是我错了。
They may have called while you were out.
你出去时他们可能给你来过电话。
It may be that Minoan ships were built and repaired here.
弥诺斯人的船可能就是在这里建造和修理的。
Your job may well involve some travelling (=it is fairly likely) .
你的工作很可能需要有时出出差。
2
POSSIBLE TO DO STH
有可能做某事
if something may be done, completed etc in a particular way, that is how it is possible to do it 可以;
The problem may be solved in a number of different ways.
这个问题可以用几种不同的方式解决。
3
ALLOWED
允许
a. used to say that someone is allowed to do something b. used to ask politely for permission to do something [口，正式] 我/我们可以…吗？〔用于礼貌地请求同意〕 spoken formal
Thank you. You may go now.
谢谢，现在你可以走了。
There is a set of rules to show what members may and may not do.
有一套规定写明会员可以做什么，不可以做什么。
You may sit down or stand, just as you wish.
你可以坐下也可以站着，随你的便。
No one may own more than 10% of the shares.
任何人不可以拥有超过 10% 的股份。
May I come in and wait?
我能进来等吗？
May we use your office for a few minutes?
我们可以借你的办公室用几分钟吗？
4
IN POLITE EXPRESSIONS
用于礼貌表达
used to say, ask, or suggest something in a polite way [口，正式] 可以〔用于礼貌地说话、提问或提出建议〕 spoken formal
All these things, if I may say so, are entirely irrelevant.
所有的这一切，我可以这么说的话，都毫不相关。
Who, may I ask, is Wotherspoon?
我能问一下谁是沃瑟斯庞吗？
May I suggest that you consider the matter further before taking any action.
我可不可以建议你多考虑考虑再采取行动。
5
ALTHOUGH
尽管
used to say that even though one thing is true, something else which seems very different is also true 也许，可能〔用于表示虽然一种情况属实，但是另一种似乎很不同的情况也属实〕
I may be slow, but at least I don’t make stupid mistakes.
我可能是很慢，但至少我不犯愚蠢的错误。
Although this may sound like a simple process, great care is needed.
虽然这也许听上去像是一个简单的过程，但还是要非常小心。
Strange as it may seem, I always felt I belonged here.
尽管这好像很奇怪，但我总是觉得我属于这里。
6
may as well
used to suggest that someone should do something, because there is no good reason to do anything else [口] 还是…的好，倒不如; spoken
If there’s nothing more to do, we may as well go to bed.
如果没有更多的事要做，我们倒不如去睡觉。
You may as well tell us now – we’ll find out sooner or later.
你不如现在就告诉我们 — 我们迟早会知道的。
7
may sb/sth do sth
used to express a wish or hope [正式] 愿某人/某事做某事〔表达一种希望或祝愿〕 formal
We pray for those who died – may they rest in peace.
我们为死者祈祷 — 愿他们安息。
It is a fine tradition and long may it continue!
这是个很好的传统，但愿能保持下去！
8
PURPOSE
目的
used after ‘so that’ or ‘in order that’ to say that someone does something in order to make something else possible 【正式】 能够，可以〔用于 so that 或 in order that 之后〕 formal
The hero sacrifices his life so that his friend may live.
主人公牺牲了自己的生命，让他的朋友能够活下去。
9
be that as it may
in spite of what you have just mentioned [正式] 尽管如此 formal
Perhaps there isn’t one single system that will work for everyone. Be that as it may, we all need order in our lives.
也许并不存在一个人人都适用的制度。 尽管如此，我们的生活还是需要秩序的。
10
may well
10. used to say that there is a good reason for a reaction, question, or feeling 很有理由〔作出某种反应、提出某个问题或有某种情绪〕
‘What’s all the noise?’ ‘You may well ask .’
“这是什么噪音？”“你问得好。”
noun
11 the white or pink flowers of the HAWTHORN [英] 山楂花
noun
12 the fifth month of the year, between April and June 五月 BrE AmE
next/last May
She started work here last May.
她去年 5 月份开始在这儿工作。
in May
The theatre opened in May .
那家剧院是 5 月份开业的。
on May 6th
We don’t have any meetings on May 6th, do we?
我们 5 月 6 日没有会议，是吧？
on 6th May
An agreement was signed on 6th May 1977.
1977 年 5 月 6 日签署了一份协议。
May 6
Michael’s getting married May 6.
迈克尔 5 月 6 日要结婚。