〜でしょう？~deshou?

How it works

1. 

   Numbers have several readings, and both people know this. The speaker uses 「でしょう？」 to confirm it with the listener.

2. 

   You already have an idea and ask “That’s right, isn’t it?” You expect agreement, rather than asking for entirely new information.

3. 

   Attach it to the plain form. For nouns and な-adjectives in the present affirmative, drop 「だ」, as in 「語呂合わせでしょう？」.

4. 

   「でしょう」 is more polite. 「だろう」 is more casual and can sound forceful, so it is mainly used with people you know well.

5. 

   「できるだろう」 can also express a guess. Rising intonation at the end and an expected response are clues that it is seeking confirmation.

Example sentences

• 日本にほんnihon語ごgoでdeは、わ、wa、数字すうじsuujiにniもmoいろいろな読み方いろいろなよみかたiroironayomikataがgaあるでしょう。arudeshou。

  In Japanese, there are various ways to read numbers, right?

In a conversation

• A
  「119」ひゃくじゅうきゅうはわ何なんかの語呂合わせごろあわせでしょう？でしょう

  A: "119" is probably some kind of wordplay, isn't it?
• B
  そうでしょう。「でしょう。いいく」…いくいや、

Check yourself

1. Level 1 · Recognise

   Which sentence is correct?

   A贈り物に縁起が悪い数字を選ぶのは、失礼にあたるでしょう。B贈り物に縁起が悪い数字を選ぶのは、失礼にあたります。C贈り物に縁起が悪い数字を選ぶのは、失礼にあたるかもしれません。D贈り物に縁起が悪い数字を選ぶのは、失礼だと思います。

2. Level 1 · Recognise

   Listen and choose the meaning

   AIf you use a mnemonic when memorizing, it will serve as a clue and make it easier to remember.BIf you review the vocabulary cards over and over, you will probably learn them little by little.CIf you picture images in your mind, it will be easier to remember the content.DIf you review before bed, you will be less likely to forget it the next day.

3. Level 2 · Build

   Put the words in order

   In Japanese, numbers probably also have a variety of readings.

   でしょう。いろいろな数字にも日本語では、読み方がある数字でましょう。
   Check

4. Level 3 · Use

   What goes in the blank?

   日本語では、数字にもいろいろな読み方がある____。

   In Japanese, numbers probably have various ways of being read.

   Show answer

More grammar in this theme

• 〜でしょう？seeking agreement

Keep practising