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According to the WWWJDIC, the verbal suffix まい can mean:

> (1) probably isn't (doesn't, won't, etc.)  
>  (2) don't (doesn't) intend to; intend not to  
>  (3) must not; (when used in an imperative sentence) don't

but I've found this sentence in my 日本語能力試験文法問題対策一級 text:

> 何であれ, 必要ならば買わなければなる **まい** 。

Which is the right translation? Or are there other possible translations?

> a) 'No matter what, if it's necessary, I'll probably have to buy it.'  
>  b) 'No matter what, if it's necessary, I won't probably have to buy it.'

If it's b), it doesn't make much sense, does it? If it's a), it contradicts
the meaning given by the dictionary.
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2012-06-25T10:11:47.463
5959
2012-06-25T10:35:28.003
2012-06-25T10:32:29.460
1433
question
verbs negation suffixes volitional-form
Meaning and usage of suffix -まい
* I am not sure if there is meaning 3). What example sentences do yo have in mind?

  * Your sentence has まい with meaning 1). In both of your translations, you are dropping `なる` ' **be in a good situation** '. That is why your translations do not work. A literal translation is:

> 'Whatever it is, if it's necessary, it probably won't be good if I do not
> buy it.'

This may sound a bit unnatural. That is because Japanese lacks a single word
for "must" (except for `べき` which is weaker in meaning), and you have to say
`なければならない` "it will not be well without", `なければなるまい` "it probably will not be
well without". A more natural translation is:

> 'Whatever it is, if it's necessary, I probably must/should buy it.'
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-06-25T10:28:48.310
5960
2012-06-25T10:35:28.003
2012-06-25T10:35:28.003
5959
answer