Meaning:  "I wonder" "Do you think . . . ?"

doubt:  スミスさん、来るかしら。I wonder if Smith will come.
wish:  早く来年にならないかしら。I can't wait till next year.
 

Location:  Behind V-plain, いAdj-plain, なAdj-stem, N.

スミスさん、来るかしら。I wonder if Smith will come.
あの車高かったかしら。I wonder if that car was expensive.
国会議事堂は立派かしら。I wonder if the Diet Building is impressive.
あれが加茂川かしら。Do you think that's the Kamo River?
 

Gender:  More women than men use this particle.

Level:  Informal

Alternatives:  Men tend to use かな instead.  A formal alternative is でしょうか.

Warning:  When ・・・と思うfollows, かな is replaces かしら.

※今日は来るかなと思っていたのですが。
        I had thought/wondered if she may come today.