Processing keyword: ～でしょう (〜deshou)

Japanese Grammar Point: ～でしょう (〜deshou)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ～でしょう (〜deshou) is a versatile expression in Japanese used to indicate probability, conjecture, or to seek confirmation. It often translates to "probably," "I think," or "isn't it?" in English. Understanding how to use ～でしょう correctly will enhance your ability to express uncertainty, make predictions, and confirm information in both formal and informal contexts.

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• Expressing Probability or Conjecture: Indicates that something is likely or probably true.
• Seeking Confirmation: Used at the end of a sentence to ask for agreement or confirmation, similar to "right?" or "isn't it?" in English.

Structure

Formation

The formation of ～でしょう depends on the type of word it follows:

Word Type	Plain Form	+ でしょう
Verb	食べる (taberu) - to eat	食べる でしょう (taberu deshou)
い-adjective	高い (takai) - expensive	高い でしょう (takai deshou)
な-adjective	便利 だ (benri da) - convenient	便利 でしょう (benri deshou)
Noun	学生 だ (gakusei da) - student	学生 でしょう (gakusei deshou)

• Note: For な-adjectives and nouns, the copula だ is often dropped in formal speech.

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Visual Aid: Formation Diagram

graph LR
A[Verb/Adjective/Noun] --> B[Plain Form]
B --> C[+ でしょう]

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3. Comparative Analysis

～でしょう vs. ～かもしれません

	～でしょう	～かもしれません
Meaning	Probably; I think	Might; may
Certainty Level	Higher likelihood	Lower likelihood
Example	雨が降るでしょう。 (It will probably rain.)	雨が降るかもしれません。 (It might rain.)

• Key Difference: ～でしょう expresses a higher degree of certainty compared to ～かもしれません.

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Speech

1. 明日は寒くなるでしょう。
   • Ashita wa samuku naru deshou.
   • "It will probably get cold tomorrow."
2. 彼は今忙しいでしょうか。
   • Kare wa ima isogashii deshou ka.
   • "Do you think he is busy now?"

Informal Speech

1. あの映画は面白いだろう。
   • Ano eiga wa omoshiroi darou.
   • "That movie is probably interesting."
2. 疲れたでしょう？
   • Tsukareta deshou?
   • "You're tired, aren't you?"

Seeking Confirmation

1. これはあなたの本でしょう？
   • Kore wa anata no hon deshou?
   • "This is your book, isn't it?"
2. 彼女は日本に行くでしょうね。
   • Kanojo wa Nihon ni iku deshou ne.
   • "She's going to Japan, right?"

Written Context

1. 技術はさらに進歩するでしょう。
   • Gijutsu wa sara ni shinpo suru deshou.
   • "Technology will probably advance further."

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5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

• ～でしょう is more polite and formal compared to its casual counterpart ～だろう.
• It is commonly used in formal conversations, news reports, weather forecasts, and polite daily interactions.
• In writing, ～でしょう adds a level of formality and is preferred over ～だろう.

Idiomatic Expressions

• でしょうがない / しょうがない
  • Means "can't be helped" or "it is inevitable."
  • Example: 待つしかないでしょうがない。
    • Matsu shika nai deshou ga nai.
    • "We have no choice but to wait."

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Using the Wrong Level of Formality
   • Mixing ～でしょう (formal) with casual speech.
   • Tip: Use ～だろう in informal contexts with friends or family.
2. Confusing with ～と思います (to omoimasu)
   • ～と思います means "I think," expressing personal opinion.
   • Tip: Remember that ～でしょう often implies conjecture based on some evidence or expectation.

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device: Think of でしょう as "Deshou = Definitely shows uncertainty."
• Practice: Create sentences about future events using ～でしょう to get comfortable with expressing probability.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• ～でしょう is used to express probability, conjecture, or to seek confirmation.
• It adds politeness and formality to your speech.
• Distinguish between ～でしょう (formal) and ～だろう (informal).
• Remember the differences between ～でしょう and ～かもしれません in terms of certainty.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. **How do you express "It might rain tomorrow" using ～でしょう?
   A) 明日は雨が降るでしょう。
   B) 明日は雨が降るかもしれません。
2. Which is more formal, ～でしょう or ～だろう?
3. **Translate to Japanese using ～でしょう: "He is probably a teacher."

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Answers:

1. A) 明日は雨が降るでしょう。
2. ～でしょう is more formal.
3. 彼は先生でしょう。
   Kare wa sensei deshou.

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