～だろう

When to use

Casual conjecture - "probably", the plain-form counterpart of でしょう.

Explanation

The ～だろう grammar point is used to express probability, likelihood, or certainty about a situation or event. It can be translated as 'probably', 'maybe', or 'I think' in English. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with a verb, い-adjective, な-adjective, or noun.

• 明日あしたは晴はれるだろう。

  It will probably be sunny tomorrow.

  Ashita wa hareru darou.

• 彼かれは忙いそがしいだろう。

  He is probably busy.

  Kare wa isogashii darou.

• この本ほんは面白おもしろいだろう。

  This book is probably interesting.

  Kono hon wa omoshiroi darou.

• 彼女かのじょは先生せんせいだろう。

  She is probably a teacher.

  Kanojo wa sensei darou.

Other forms

• ～でしょうPolitenessN4

Inference (It Seems / Probably)

• ～ようだ〜you daN4Expresses appearance, similarity or inference; 'it seems'…
• ～らしい〜rashiiN3Expresses hearsay; 'I heard', 'it seems', 'apparently'.
• ～ということだ〜to iu koto daN3Express a conclusion or hearsay; 'I heard', 'it means'…
• ～んだって〜n datteN3Conveys information heard from someone else; 'I heard'…
• ～かもしれない〜kamoshirenaiN4Express uncertainty; 'maybe', 'might', 'possibly'.
• もしかすると〜かもしれないmoshikasuru to 〜kamoshirenaiN3Express the possibility of something; 'maybe', 'perhaps'…
• ～とのことだ〜to no koto daN1Expresses something that the speaker heard; 'I've heard…
• ～とみえて〜to mieteN1It seems that; apparently
• ～まい〜maiN2Express a negative conjecture or determination; 'probably…
• ～そうだ〜sou daN4Express the appearance, seeming, or feeling of something…
• ～に決まっている〜ni kimatte iruN2Express certainty; 'it is obvious', 'it must be', 'no…

Compare when to use each