もしや

by any chance, perhaps; could it be that

adverb Rare #26,024
by any chance, perhaps; could it be that Often used when asking about something the speaker suspects may be true.
JA: もしや、鍵を忘れた?
EN: Did you perhaps forget your keys?

もしやと思ってあんたは信用できそうだ

I had a feeling, and you seem like someone I can trust.

— サイコ (1960)

もしや彩葉?

Could it be Iroha?

— Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026)

彼女がどこに住んでいるのか、もしやご存知ですか。

Do you happen to know where she lives?

もしや彼は…

Could it be that he…

— カンフーハッスル (2004)

もしや…

Could it be…?

— 28年後... 白骨の神殿 (2026)

もしやと思って聞いただけ

I only asked on the off chance.

— JUNO/ジュノ (2007)

出てきたのは竹じゃなくて電柱だったけどあんたもしやかぐや姫なの?

What came out wasn’t bamboo but a utility pole. Are you, by any chance, Princess Kaguya?

— Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026)