Structure
Verb + の(1) + ではない(2)(だろう)か
[い]Adjective + の(1) + ではない(2)(だろう)か
Noun + (なの(3))+ ではない(2)(だろう)か
[な]Adjective + (なの(3))+ ではない(2)(だろう)か
(1) ん
(2) じゃない
(3) なん
Details
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About のではないだろうか
のではないだろうか is a fairly long grammar pattern in Japanese that is used when one wants to express their opinion indirectly, in the form of a rhetorical question. Common translations include 'I think it's (A), isn't it?', and 'it might be that (A)'. However, being that this is just a combination of の, ではない 'isn't', だろう 'probably', and か, the literal meaning is simply 'is it probably not that it's (A)'. Just like in English, the elongation of the phrase and not saying anything with certainty makes it sound more modest.
のではないだろうか may be seen following verbs and い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives and nouns when preceded with な. Additionally, でしょう may replace だろう.
のではないだろうか may be seen following verbs and い-Adjectives, or な-Adjectives and nouns when preceded with な. Additionally, でしょう may replace だろう.
- 先輩は疲れているのじゃないだろうか。I think that our senpai is tired, don't you think?
- 息子がおもちゃをじーっとみている。あのおもちゃが欲しいのじゃないだろうか。Our son is staring at a toy. I think he wants that toy, don't you agree?
- 長谷川さんは田中さんのことが好きなのではないでしょうか。I think that Hasegawa-san likes Tanaka-san, don't you agree?
- あの人の右腕に入ってるタトゥー、防犯カメラに映っていたのと全く同じです。あの人は犯人なのではないでしょうか。The tattoo on that person's right arm is exactly the same as the one seen on the security camera. I think that he is the perpetrator, don't you agree?
Synonyms
Examples
彼はもしかして、あきれているのではないだろうか。
I think that he is probably amazed, right?
仕事に対する真剣な姿に、憧れるのではないだろうか。
I think a serious stance towards one's work is admired, isn't it?
こんなお願いをしてしまって、厚かましかったのではないだろうか。
I think it was pretty bold/shameless to make a request like this, wasn't it?
あの店、水曜日は確か定休日ではないだろうか。
If I am not mistaken, I think that store has its regular holiday on Wednesday, right?
定価は10,000円ではないでしょうか。随分安くなっていますね。
I think the regular price is 10,000 yen, isn't it? It has become considerably cheaper, don't you think?
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のではないだろうか?
NihongoDayByDay
Difference between だろうか and ではないだろうか
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[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
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のではないだろうか – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (3 in total)
wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV
The structure details for this grammar point
Noun + (なの(3))+ ではない(2)(だろう)か (2) じゃない (3) なん
indicate nouns can be inflected with なの・なん, but this doesn’t appear to be reflected in the examples, nor accepted in any of the answers I’ve encountered so far. I already reported this previously, but thought I should post here as well to bring attention to this discrepancy.
Fuga
Hey @wrt7MameLZE33wlmpCAV !
Sorry for the late response! We have just fixed this so that those answers are accepted!
OctopusEvening
This still appears to be the case or am I doing something wrong?
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