まい
(Mai)
whether or not (one does) X.
Connection rules
- ＋V volitional + と + V ます-stem / dict-form + まい(と). Example: 行こうと行くまいと, 食べようと食べまいと.
- ＋Paired 'whether X or not X' — covers both polarities.
- ＋まい is an archaic-literary negative volitional; the exact construction varies — some use V dict + まい, some use V ます-stem + まい.
Examples
1.
行こうと行くまいと、あなたの自由だ。
Iko u to iku mai to, anata no jiyuu da.
Whether you go or not, it's up to you.
「whether or not (one does) X」
2.
彼が来ようと来まいと、会議は始める。
Kare ga koyo u to ko mai to, kaigi wa hajimeru.
Whether he comes or not, we'll start the meeting.
「whether or not (one does) X」