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Tomorrow’s rain has not happened yet. Use 「でしょう」 to make a prediction based on the forecast.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Intermediate 1

〜でしょう・〜だろう~deshou / ~darou

likely; probably

Use 〜でしょう for a polite conjecture and 〜だろう for a plain one about an unconfirmed present or future situation.

How it works

  1. Tomorrow’s rain has not happened yet. Use 「でしょう」 to make a prediction based on the forecast.

    Tomorrow’s rain has not happened yet. Use 「でしょう」 to make a prediction based on the forecast.

  2. Both sentences express a conjecture. 「でしょう」 is more polite; 「だろう」 is the plain form.

    Both sentences express a conjecture. 「でしょう」 is more polite; 「だろう」 is the plain form.

  3. You can also conjecture about a current situation that has not been confirmed. These forms are not limited to future predictions.

    You can also conjecture about a current situation that has not been confirmed. These forms are not limited to future predictions.

  4. Use a verb in its plain form, then add 「でしょう／だろう」. Do not use the ます form.

    Use a verb in its plain form, then add 「でしょう／だろう」. Do not use the ます form.

  5. Use an い-adjective in its plain form, then add 「でしょう／だろう」. Do not add です.

    Use an い-adjective in its plain form, then add 「でしょう／だろう」. Do not add です.

  6. For a noun in the present affirmative form, remove 「だ」 and add 「でしょう／だろう」 directly.

For a noun in the present affirmative form, remove 「だ」 and add 「でしょう／だろう」 directly.

  • For a な-adjective in the present affirmative form, also remove 「だ」. Do not add 「な」 or 「です」.

    For a な-adjective in the present affirmative form, also remove 「だ」. Do not add 「な」 or 「です」.

  • The examples first predict rain, then conjecture that the event will be affected. Neither sentence states that the outcome is certain.

    The examples first predict rain, then conjecture that the event will be affected. Neither sentence states that the outcome is certain.

    • Example sentences

    • 明日あすasuはわwa朝あさasaからkara雨あめameがga降るでしょう。ふるでしょう。furudeshou。

      It will probably rain from tomorrow morning.

    • 週末しゅうまつshuumatsuのnoイベントいべんとibentoは、わ、wa、天気てんきtenkiのno影響えいきょうeikyouをo受けるだろう。うけるだろう。ukerudarou。

      The weekend event will likely be affected by the weather.

    In a conversation

    • A
      明日あすの天気てんき予報よほうを見ましたみましたか。

      A: Did you see tomorrow's weather forecast?

    • B
      いいえ、まだ見みていません。明日あすはわ晴れるでしょうはれるでしょうか。

      B: No, I haven't seen it yet. Will it clear up tomorrow?

    • A
      いいえ、明日あすはわ朝あさから雷雨らいうになるでしょう。

      A: No, it will probably be thunderous rain from tomorrow morning.

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      It will probably rain from the morning tomorrow.

    4. Level 3 · Use

      What goes in the blank?

      明日は朝から雨が降る____。

      It will probably rain from tomorrow morning.

    More grammar in this theme

    • 〜において・〜におけるformal setting or field
    • 〜上でconditions for doing something
    • 〜た上でcomplete a step before deciding
    • 〜てほしいwant someone to do
    • 〜てもらいたいwant to receive someone’s help
    • 〜よねseek agreement or confirmation
    • 〜とか〜とかexamples among other things
    • 〜だけ・〜だけのonly; just enough for
    • 〜でしょう・〜だろうlikely; probably
    • 〜から〜にかけてapproximate time or place range
    • 〜とcondition and natural result
    • 〜がきっかけでtrigger for a change
    • 〜っぽいcharacteristic or impression
    • 〜でもeven in a situation
    Previous〜だけ・〜だけのNext〜から〜にかけて

    Keep practising

    Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
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    Intermediate 1
    New Environments and Self-Introduction