でしょう means probably or right. It is a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar pattern used to make a polite guess or ask for agreement.
This grammar point appears often in beginner conversations, textbooks, and JLPT-style reading questions. If you want to sound less certain and more polite when predicting something, でしょう is a useful pattern to learn early because it connects directly to everyday communication.
What does でしょう mean?
Use でしょう when you want to express probability or invite agreement in polite Japanese.
Natural translations include:
- probably
- I suppose
- right?
The exact English translation changes with context. The important point is to understand what job the pattern is doing in the sentence, not to memorize only one English phrase.
How to form でしょう
Plain form + でしょう; noun / な-adjective + でしょう
Examples of the pattern:
- 雨が降るでしょう
- 便利でしょう
- 先生でしょう
Pay attention to the form that comes before the grammar point. Many beginner mistakes happen because the learner understands the meaning but attaches the pattern to the wrong word form.
When is でしょう used?
Use でしょう in situations like:
- weather forecasts
- polite guesses
- confirmation questions
Tone and register:
- polite and neutral
- Common in daily speech, textbook examples, and beginner JLPT questions
でしょう example sentences
- 明日は晴れるでしょう。 — It will probably be sunny tomorrow.
- 彼女はもう駅に着いたでしょう。 — She has probably already arrived at the station.
- この漢字は難しいでしょう。 — This kanji is difficult, right?
- 週末は人が多いでしょう。 — There will probably be many people on the weekend.
- これは便利でしょう？ — This is convenient, right?
Read the Japanese sentence first, then check whether the English translation matches the feeling of the whole sentence. This helps you avoid translating each piece too literally.
Nuance of でしょう
The key nuance is polite probability or shared expectation.
This matters because learners often know the dictionary meaning but miss the speaker’s intention. In real Japanese, grammar points show attitude, politeness, contrast, certainty, desire, or context. For でしょう, focus on how the pattern changes the role of the sentence.
For example:
- In conversation, it can sound softer and safer than blunt certainty.
- Compared with だろう, it feels more polite and less rough.
でしょう vs だろう
Both でしょう and だろう can be related in beginner Japanese, but they are different.
でしょう:
- polite form used with many listeners
- common in forecasts and explanations
だろう:
- casual/plain counterpart
- can sound masculine or literary depending on context
Quick contrast examples:
- 明日は寒いでしょう。— Tomorrow will probably be cold.
- 明日は寒いだろう。— Tomorrow will probably be cold.
If you are unsure which one to use, ask what the sentence is trying to do: define something, ask something, show a reason, mark a subject, describe a desire, or connect ideas.
Common mistakes with でしょう
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Using でしょう as if it means definite future
- Adding it after です in the same clause
- Forgetting it can also ask for agreement
A good study habit is to make one simple original sentence, then change only one part of it. That makes the function of the grammar point easier to see.
Is でしょう on the JLPT?
Yes. でしょう is commonly taught as JLPT N5 grammar.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
For test preparation, do not only memorize the English gloss. Practice identifying the word before and after the grammar point, because JLPT questions often test structure and context together.
Practice questions for でしょう
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Make a polite weather prediction.
- Ask “It is convenient, right?”
- Guess that a friend is busy.
Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic.
Learn でしょう with Kanjiru
If you want to review でしょう together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N5 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
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