でしょう
Probably, or “right?”
You’ll be able to make predictions and check whether your listener agrees with you.
午後は雨でしょう。
gogo wa ame deshou.
What do you think this sentence means?
It will probably rain this afternoon.
Express a likely guess or seek agreement politely
でしょう often means “probably” when you make a prediction. With rising or checking intonation, it can also ask for confirmation like “right?”
バスはすぐ来るでしょう。
basu wa sugu kuru deshou.
The bus will probably come soon.
このケーキ、おいしいでしょう？
kono keeki, oishii deshou?
This cake is delicious, right?
Verbs, adjectives, and nouns
Attach でしょう to the plain form of verbs and adjectives, or directly to nouns.
午後は雨が降るでしょう。
gogo wa ame ga furu deshou.
It will probably rain this afternoon.
この問題は難しいでしょう。
kono mondai wa muzukashii deshou.
This problem is probably difficult.
この町は静かでしょう。
kono machi wa shizuka deshou.
This town is probably quiet.
明日は休みでしょう。
ashita wa yasumi deshou.
Tomorrow is probably a day off.
Use it to check agreement
In conversation, でしょう can also mean “right?” when the speaker expects agreement.
この店、おいしいでしょう？
kono mise, oishii deshou?
This place is good, right?
田中さんも来るでしょう？
tanaka-san mo kuru deshou?
Tanaka is coming too, right?
簡単でしょう？
kantan deshou?
It’s easy, right?
明日は晴れるでしょう。
ashita wa hareru deshou.
It will probably be sunny tomorrow.
父は今、家にいないでしょう。
chichi wa ima, ie ni inai deshou.
My father probably isn't home now.
駅はここから近いでしょう。
eki wa koko kara chikai deshou.
The station is nearby, right?
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