Introduction: What Is でしょう (Deshou)?
If you’ve been learning Japanese, you’ve probably heard でしょう (deshou) in conversations, TV shows, or even weather forecasts. But what does it really mean, and how do you use it correctly?
でしょう is a versatile grammar point used for making polite assumptions, predictions, and seeking agreement. It’s softer than a direct statement, making it essential for natural-sounding Japanese.
In this blog post, we’ll break down:
✔ The basic meaning of でしょう
✔ How to form sentences with it
✔ Real-life examples from daily conversations
✔ The difference between でしょう, だろう (darou), and かもしれません (kamoshiremasen)
✔ Common mistakes to avoid
By the end, you’ll confidently use でしょう like a native speaker!
Keyphrase Focus
Primary Keyphrase: でしょう (deshou) in Japanese
Secondary Keyphrases: Japanese polite assumptions, how to use deshou, deshou vs darou, making predictions in Japanese
1. The Meaning of でしょう (Deshou)
でしょう is a polite way to express:
✅ Assumptions (Based on evidence or likelihood)
✅ Predictions (Future guesses)
✅ Seeking agreement (Like saying “right?” in English)
Examples:
- 明日は雨でしょう。 (Ashita wa ame deshou.) → “It will probably rain tomorrow.” (Prediction)
- 彼は先生でしょう。 (Kare wa sensei deshou.) → “He’s probably a teacher.” (Assumption)
- 美味しいでしょう？ (Oishii deshou?) → “It’s delicious, right?” (Seeking agreement)
Unlike だろう (darou), which is more casual, でしょう is polite and commonly used in formal and everyday speech.
2. How to Form Sentences with でしょう
Basic Structure:
[Plain form verb / adjective / noun] + でしょう
| Type | Example | でしょう Form |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | 行く (iku – to go) | 行くでしょう (iku deshou) |
| い-Adjective | 寒い (samui – cold) | 寒いでしょう (samui deshou) |
| な-Adjective | 静か (shizuka – quiet) | 静かでしょう (shizuka deshou) |
| Noun | 学生 (gakusei – student) | 学生でしょう (gakusei deshou) |
Negative Form:
Just add ない (nai) before でしょう.
- 行かないでしょう (Ikanai deshou) → “Probably won’t go.”
- 静かではないでしょう (Shizuka dewa nai deshou) → “Probably not quiet.”
3. Real-Life Uses of でしょう
① Weather Forecasts (Predictions)
Japanese weather reports always use でしょう because they’re making educated guesses.
- 週末は晴れるでしょう。 (Shuumatsu wa hareru deshou.) → “The weekend will probably be sunny.”
② Guessing Someone’s Feelings (Assumptions)
Instead of saying “You’re tired,” you soften it with でしょう.
- 疲れたでしょう？ (Tsukareta deshou?) → “You must be tired, right?”
③ Confirming Opinions (Seeking Agreement)
When asking for confirmation, でしょう？ works like “isn’t it?”
- この映画、面白いでしょう？ (Kono eiga, omoshiroi deshou?) → “This movie is interesting, isn’t it?”
4. でしょう vs. だろう (Darou) vs. かもしれません (Kamoshiremasen)
| Grammar | Politeness | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| でしょう | Polite | Likely assumption/prediction | 彼は来るでしょう。 (He’ll probably come.) |
| だろう | Casual | Same as でしょう, but informal | 彼は来るだろう。 (He’ll come, I bet.) |
| かもしれません | Polite | “Maybe” (less certain) | 彼は来るかもしれません。 (He might come.) |
だろう is used among friends, while でしょう is safer in formal situations.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using でしょう for facts → Wrong: “地球は丸いでしょう。” (Earth is round, right?) → This is a fact, so です should be used instead.
✅ Use でしょう only for uncertain statements.
❌ Overusing でしょう in questions → While “美味しいでしょう？” is fine, avoid repeating it too much.
6. Practical Tips for Using でしょう Naturally
✔ Listen to weather reports – They’re full of でしょう!
✔ Practice with assumptions – Guess things like “あの人は有名でしょう” (That person is probably famous).
✔ Use it in daily conversations – Try “大丈夫でしょう？” (It’ll be fine, right?)
Conclusion: Mastering でしょう for Natural Japanese
でしょう is a must-know Japanese grammar point for polite assumptions and predictions. Whether you’re guessing the weather, confirming opinions, or making educated guesses, でしょう helps you sound more natural and respectful.
Want to learn more? Check out these related posts:
- です vs. ます: The Ultimate Japanese Polite Form Guide
- How to Use かもしれない (Kamoshirenai) for Uncertainty
- だけ (Dake) in Japanese Grammar: A Complete Guide to Expressing Limits and Extent
Now it’s your turn! Try using でしょう in your next Japanese conversation. どうでしょう？ (How about it?) 😊
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Further Reading:
Happy learning! またね！(See you later!)
