Grammar Info

N5 Lesson 3: 5/13

でしょうRight?, Probably, Isn't it?

Structure

Tentative
Noun + でしょう
Verb + でしょう
Adjective + でしょう

Details

  • Part of Speech

    Auxiliary Verb

  • Word Type

    Dependent Word

  • Register

    Polite

About でしょう

でしょう is a conjugated form of です, and can also be seen in the contracted form でしょ (more casual). でしょう is regularly translated to 'right?', or 'probably' in English. In a broader sense it just expresses an assertion about something (like です), that the speaker assumes the listener would probably agree with.

In the above, we can see that, in both examples, the speaker is looking for confirmation that/affirming that the listener agrees with them.

As でしょう is a conjugation of です (the polite form of だ), it usually follows the plain form of words, rather than words using ～ます. However, in very formal situations, or older literature ～ますでしょう may be seen.

Caution

Despite sounding relatively low confidence, using でしょう implies that the speaker has some form of information that makes them believe that the (A) statement is true.

Examples

--:--

    これはあなたの本(ほん)でしょう。

    This is your book, right?

    いいでしょう。

    It is probably good. (right?)

    明日(あした)は寒(さむ)いでしょう。

    It will probably be cold tomorrow.

    あなたはトムでしょう？

    You are Tom, right?

    これは、いい車(くるま)でしょう。

    This is a good car, right?

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でしょう – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (12 in total)

  • lohran

    lohran

    I’m not sure of the difference between でしょう and ですね.
    Aren’t they both used for making a statement that the listener will likely agree with (esp. if the former is pronounced with a falling tone)?

  • FredKore

    FredKore

    Here’s an exaggerated example to make a point…

    It’s noontime. It’s 110degF outside. You’re sweating buckets. You turn to a stranger and say…
    きょうは暑いですね!! – It’s [really] hot today, isn’t it?? (I know I’m hot. I’m telling you how I feel, and I’m getting confirmation about how you feel.)

    You look at another stranger who’s wearing a ski parka and say…
    あなたは暑いでしょう!! – Aren’t you hot?? lit. You must be hot!! / You’re probably hot!! (If I were in your shoes, I’d be hot, but I’m not you so I don’t know 100% for sure. I’m getting confirmation about how you feel.)

    ですね is for a statement that you’re sure of for yourself and probably for others as well.
    でしょう is for a statement you can’t be 100% sure (because it’s about someone else, the future, etc)

  • lohran

    lohran

    I meant to thank you for this explanation way back - it was really helpful - so thank you!!

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