JLPT N5 grammar

〜でしょうmeaning and usage

Meaning

Expresses a polite guess (“probably …”), seeks agreement (“…, right?”), or, in a question such as one ending in でしょうか, makes an inquiry tentative (“I wonder whether …”).

How to form it

  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveでしょう
  • noun/な-adjective (stem)でしょう

How it is used

A polite guess, “probably”, often with 「たぶん」 or 「きっと」; the plain form is 「だろう」. With rising intonation it seeks agreement (“…, right?”). 「〜でしょうか」 is a softer question than 「〜ですか」.

Examples

  1. 多分彼らは車で来るでしょう。

    They will probably come by car.

  2. このケーキ、おいしいでしょう？

    This cake is good, isn't it?

  3. すみません、駅はどちらでしょうか。

    Excuse me, which way is the station?

About the example In 来るでしょう, でしょう expresses a polite guess about how they will come. 多分 reinforces the uncertainty.