[Serie: All About Japanese Particles]
Note: The usages of kashira are essentially the same as those of ka na, except that they are mostly employed by women.
1. Indicates uncertainly: “I wonder.”
社長さん、今日何時に会社へいらっしゃいますかしら。
Shachō-san, kyō nanji ni kaisha e irasshaimasu kashira.
I wonder what time the president will come to the office today.
この機械の使い方、ご存じでいらっしゃいますかしら。
Kono kikai no tsukaikata, gozonji de irasshaimasu kashira.
I wonder if you’re acquainted with how this machine is run.
2. Indicates a question to oneself: “I wonder.”
もう帰ってもいいのかしら。
Mō kaette mo ii kashira.
I wonder if it’s all right to leave now [if I can leave now].
こんなすてきなプレゼントをもらって、いいのかしら。
Konna suteki na purezento o moratte, ii no kashira.
I wonder if I should accept such a lovely present. /Oh, you shouldn’t have. /Oh, what a lovely present! I don’t deserve it.
3. Indicates a hope or muted request: “I wonder.”
今晩私の宿題を手伝ってくれるかしら。
Komban watashi no shukudai o tetsudatte kureru kashira.
I wonder if you would help me with my homework tonight. /Do you think you could help me with my homework tonight?
コンピューターの使い方、教えていただけるかしら。
Konpyūtā no tsukaikata, oshiete itadakeru kashira.
I wonder if you could teach me how to operate the computer./ Could you possibly teach me how to operate the computer?
– Source: All about particles – A handbook of Japanese function words –