# でしょう: probably or right > Learn how to use でしょう, a JLPT N5 Japanese grammar point meaning probably or right, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N5 · Updated: 2026-05-17 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n5-deshou/

**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: - 雨あめが降ふるでしょう - 便利べんりでしょう - 先生せんせいでしょう 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

明日あしたは晴はれるでしょう。

It will probably be sunny tomorrow.

probability

彼女かのじょはもう駅えきに着ついたでしょう。

She has probably already arrived at the station.

probability

この漢字かんじは難むずかしいでしょう。

This kanji is difficult, right?

agreement

週末しゅうまつは人ひとが多おおいでしょう。

There will probably be many people on the weekend.

probability

これは便利べんりでしょう？

This is convenient, right?

agreement

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.

Speaker 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.

## 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

明日あしたは寒さむいでしょう。

Tomorrow will probably be cold.

だろう

casual/plain counterpart

can sound masculine or literary depending on context

明日あしたは寒さむいだろう。

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

Using でしょう as if it means definite future:

❌

明日あしたは雨あめが降ふりますでしょう。 (mixing certainty and probability)

✅

明日あしたは雨あめが降ふるでしょう。

Adding it after です in the same clause:

❌

便利べんりですでしょう

✅

便利べんりでしょう

Forgetting it can also ask for agreement:

❌

この漢字かんじは難むずかしいでしょう。 (flat statement when you meant to confirm)

✅

この漢字かんじは難むずかしいでしょう？

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.

Recognize it in reading and listening
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

1 Make a polite weather prediction using でしょう. production

2 Ask “It is convenient, right?” with でしょう. production

3 Guess that a friend is busy using でしょう. production

Keep the sentences short at first. Once the form feels natural, add time words, places, reasons, or contrast to make the sentence more realistic. ## Learning path for でしょう

Make one short sentence with でしょう without looking at the pattern chart.

Compare it with のです to see how explanation endings differ from probability.

Add だろう or ね to see how the basic meaning and register change.

Write one basic example, one with a different subject or time word, and one that contrasts with a related pattern.

## Related grammar to review next - [のです](/blog/n5-no-desu/) — builds control over questions, confirmation, guessing, and explanation endings. - [だろう](/blog/n5-darou/) — builds control over questions, confirmation, guessing, and explanation endings. - [ね](/blog/n5-ne/) — builds control over questions, confirmation, guessing, and explanation endings. - [はどうですか](/blog/n5-wa-dou-desu-ka/) — builds control over questions, confirmation, guessing, and explanation endings. ## Learn でしょう with Hane If you want to review **でしょう** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N5 grammar lessons](/blog/n5/)