When to use だろう [darō] and でしょう [deshō] in Japanese?

In Japanese, we most often use 〜だろう (transcribed darō), or its polite form 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō), when speculating, making a prediction, or asking for confirmation.

• Speculating / Predicting:

  明日は晴れるだろう 。

  Transcription: Ashita wa hareru darō.

  Translation: It will probably be sunny tomorrow.

• Asking for confirmation:

  この店のすし、どれもおいしいでしょう？

  Transcription: Kono mise no sushi, dore mo oishii deshō?

  Translation: The sushi at this place is all good, don’t you agree?

  Voice rises at the end, since you’re asking a question. (Just like in English!)

But there are a lot of other situations where you can use these endings as well! In this post, we’ll talk about how to use 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) in a sentence, and cover all the uses of these two endings. Let’s get started!

The ending 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and its polite form 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) are always used alongside the plain form of a verb, adjective, or noun. Adding these endings adds a layer of uncertainty or speculation to the meaning, but the forms have a wide range of English translations, depending on the context.

You can use a variety of plain forms before 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō). It doesn’t need to be affirmative or present tense! For example:

• plain negative form (non-past)

  雨じゃないだろう

  Transcription: ame ja nai darō.

  Translation: It’s probably not going to rain.
• plain past tense

  雨だっただろう

  Transcription: ame datta darō

  Translation: It was probably raining.

Broadly, adding 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) to the end of a phrase adds a layer of uncertainty or speculation to the meaning of a sentence. However, depending on the situation and surrounding context, there are a number of different ways you might translate these forms.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common situations where you’re likely to use 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) in Japanese!

1. Predictions or speculation

   In Japanese, we often use 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) when making a prediction or speculating about a situation. So you might use these endings where, in English, you’d use a word or phrase like “I think…”, “I would imagine that…”, or “probably.”

   Politeness	Statement	Prediction / Speculation
   Plain	明日は晴れる。 Transcription: Ashita wa hareru. Translation: It will be sunny tomorrow.	明日は晴れるだろう。 Transcription: Ashita wa hareru darō. Translation: It will probably be sunny tomorrow.
   Polite	あれはジョンの車です。 Transcription: Are wa Jon no kuruma desu. Translation: That’s John’s car.	あれはジョンの車でしょう。 Transcription: Are wa Jon no kuruma deshō. Translation: That must be John’s car.

   You can speculate about past situations by attaching 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) to the plain past tense form:

   past tense

   祖母は昔の友だちに会えて嬉しかっただろう。

   Transcription: Sobo wa mukashi no tomodachi ni aete ureshikatta darō.

   Translation: My grandmother was probably delighted to see her old friends.

   You can also use these endings when speculating about what something would be like in an imagined situation.

   タイムマシンがあっても、未来には行かないだろう。

   Transcription: Taimu mashin ga atte mo, mirai ni wa ai ni ikanai darō.

   Translation: Even if I had a time machine, I would not go to the future.

   Using adverbs with 〜だろう [darō] and 〜でしょう [deshō]

   Though just adding the ending 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) is enough to convey that you’re speculating, you’ll sometimes still use them with an adverb of speculation as well, such as:

   • たぶん

     Transcription: tabun

     Translation: probably, perhaps
   • おそらく

     Transcription: osoraku

     Translation: probably, perhaps
   • きっと

     Transcription: kitto

     Translation: surely

   Adding these adverbs can help the speaker show how likely they think their speculation is to be correct.

   adverb of speculation

   夕焼けがきれいだから、明日はたぶん晴れるだろう。

   Transcription: Yūyake ga kirei da kara, ashita wa tabun hareru darō.

   Translation: Since we are having a beautiful sunset, it’ll probably be sunny tomorrow.

   高気圧が張り出してきているそうだから、明日はきっと晴れるだろう。

   Transcription: Kōkiatsu ga haridashite kite iru sō da kara, ashita wa kitto hareru darō.

   Translation: I’ve heard that a high pressure system is expanding over this area, so it’ll surely be sunny tomorrow.

   Speculating about the cause of an observable situation

   When speculating on the cause or reason of an observable situation, you’ll need to use the explanation mode before the the ending 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō). This means that, in these cases, the ending will be a little different:

   • After verbs and i-adjectives: 〜んだろう (transcribed ndarō) / 〜んでしょう (transcribed ndeshō)

     explanation mode

     Speaker A:

     電車、やけに混んでいますね。

     Transcription: Densha, yake ni konde imasu ne.

     Translation: The train is awfully crowded, isn’t it?

     Speaker B:

     ええ、今日はなにか特別のイベントでもあるんでしょう。

     Transcription: Ē, kyō wa nanika tokubetsu no ibento demo aru n deshō.

     Translation: Yes. There is probably some kind of special event today.

     Speculating on the reason for an observable situation (a crowded train).

   • After na-adjectives and nouns: 〜なんだろう (transcribed nan darō) / 〜なんでしょう (transcribed nan deshō)

     explanation mode

     ジョン、楽しそうだなあ。よっぽど犬が好きなんだろう。

     Transcription: Jon, tanoshisō da nā. Yoppodo inu ga suki nan darō.

     Translation: John looks so happy. He probably likes dogs so much.

     Speculating on the reason for an observable situation (John looks happy).

   〜だろう [darō] or 〜でしょう [deshō]: Some usage notes

   There are a few situations where you may want to avoid using 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) to speculate or to make a prediction. Here are three questions you can ask yourself to decide how and if you want to use these endings.

   • Do you want to sound masculine or feminine?

     In casual conversation, male and female speakers use 〜だろう (transcribed darō) differently:

     • Male speakers mostly use the ending 〜だろう (transcribed darō) on its own.

     • Female speakers mostly use 〜だろうね (transcribed darōne).

     In more structured speech, like speeches or writing, 〜だろう (transcribed darō) is used by everyone, and is not gendered.

   • How much authority or expertise do you have?

     When you use 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) to make a prediction, it sounds like you have authority on the topic. You’ll most often hear it being used by professionals such as weather forecasters or medical doctors:

     • Weather Forecaster:

       明日のお天気です。福岡は雨でしょう。

       Transcription: Ashita no otenki desu. Fukuoka wa ame deshō.

       Translation: Here’s tomorrow’s weather. It’ll be rainy in Fukuoka.
     • Medical Doctor:

       腫れは２、３日でひくでしょう。

       Transcription: Hare wa ni, san nichi de hiku deshō.

       Translation: The swelling will probably subside in two or three days.

     So if you’re making a prediction, and you don’t have that sort of authority, using 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō)) can sound a little deceptive!

   • Are you speaking formally, or informally?

     While the simple endings 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) are quite common in writing and formal speech, they are less common in casual speech.

     In casual speech, you’re more likely to express that you’re speculating more explicitly, using a phrase like と思います (transcribed to omoimasu).

     • 明日は雨だと思います。

       Transcription: Ashita wa ame da to omoimasu.

       Translation: As for tomorrow, I think it’ll rain.
     • 明日は雨だろうと思います。

       Transcription: Ashita wa ame darō to omoimasu.

       Translation: As for tomorrow, I think it’ll probably rain.

   To learn more about 〜と思う (transcribed ...to omou) and other related expressions, check out our post on quotations!

2. To ask for confirmation or agreement

   The endings 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) can also be used to ask someone to confirm you’ve understood a situation, or to ask whether they agree with your assessment of something. Some English equivalents might be “..., right?” or “..., don’t you agree?”

   Like in English, sentences like these use a rising intonation on the last syllable, as though you’re asking a question. We’ll indicate that with a question mark!

   • 週末はどうせひまだろう？ 遊びに来いよ。

     Transcription: Shūmatsu wa dōse hima darō? Asobi ni koi yo.

     Translation: You have nothing to do this weekend anyway, right? Come to my place for a visit.

     This sounds like the speaker is male.
   • この店のすし、どれもおいしいでしょう？

     Transcription: Kono mise no sushi, dore mo oishii deshō?

     Translation: The sushi at this place is all good, don’t you agree?

   だろ [daro] and でしょ [desho]

   In a casual conversation, you’ll most often ask for confirmation or agreement using だろ (transcribed daro) and でしょ (transcribed desho), the short versions of 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō).

   だろ (transcribed daro) is mostly used by male speakers while でしょ (transcribed desho) is mostly used by female speakers.

   • Male Speaker:

     週末はどうせひまだろ？

     Transcription: Shūmatsu wa dōse hima daro?

     Translation: You have nothing to do this weekend anyway, right?
   • Female Speaker:

     週末はどうせひまでしょ？

     Transcription: Shūmatsu wa dōse hima desho?

     Translation: You have nothing to do this weekend anyway, right?

   Please note, though that だろ (transcribed daro) and でしょ (transcribed desho) can sometimes carry a curt or dismissive tone. So be careful how you say it if you don’t want to give a wrong impression.

   Also, だろ (transcribed daro) and でしょ (transcribed desho) can’t be used along with other sentence ending particles such as ね (transcribed ne) or か (transcribed ka). In fact, they are sometimes considered as functioning as sentence-ending particles themselves!

3. To remind someone

   You can also use 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō), with a rising intonation, to remind someone or activate their knowledge, as you might use “...remember?” in English.

   ほら、駅の近くに木村屋っていうパン屋があったでしょう？

   Transcription: Hora, eki no chikaku ni Kimuraya tte iu pan’ya ga atta deshō?

   Translation: Say, there was a bakery called Kimuraya near the train station, remember?

   In casual conversations, you can use the shorter versions だろ (transcribed daro) and でしょ (transcribed desho) instead.

   中学校に本田先生っていただろ / でしょ？

   Transcription: Chūgakkō ni Honda sensei tte ita daro / desho?

   Translation: There was a teacher in our junior high school whose name was Mr. Honda, remember?

4. To express empathy or understanding

   You can also express empathy or understanding using 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō). It works this way because you are speculating or predicting how someone else must feel, a little like how you might use “must…,” “I imagine…,” or “I see….” to express empathy in English.

   In this case, the intonation doesn’t go up!

   • Host at a B&B:

     さぞお疲れでしょう。ごゆっくりお休みください。

     Transcription: Sazo otsukare deshō. Goyukkuri oyasumi kudasai.

     Translation: You must be really tired. Please have a good night’s sleep.
   • Manager:

     みんな大変だっただろう。 お疲れ様。

     Transcription: Min’na taihen datta darō. Otsukaresama.

     Translation: I see (the task) was challenging to you all. You did a great job.

     Sounds like a male speaker.

5. To reproach the listener

   Sometimes, 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō), or their short versions 〜だろ (transcribed daro) and 〜でしょ (transcribed desho) , are used to reproach someone, especially for not following the speaker’s advice. In this case, the sentence typically starts with だから (transcribed dakara, meaning “so”).

   Example: Your young sibling accidentally spilled their grape juice onto your homework sheet.

   Younger Sibling:

   あっ！ごめんなさい・・・。

   Transcription: A! Gomen’nasai…

   Translation: Oh! I’m sorry…

   You:

   だから、あっちで飲めって言っただろう。

   Transcription: Dakara, atchi de nome tte itta darō.

   Translation: So, I told you to drink it over there, didn’t I?

6. To counter someone else’s speculation

   When 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō), or their short versions, are spoken with a falling intonation, it can indicate that the speaker is countering someone else’s speculation or idea, as in “Actually, I think…” or “I think it’s more likely…”.

   Speaker A:

   ジョン、遅いなあ。事故でもあったのかな。

   Transcription: Jon, osoinā. Jiko demo atta no kana.

   Translation: John is late. I wonder if there was an accident or something.

   Speaker B:

   寝坊でもしたんでしょ。

   Transcription: Nebō demo shita n desho.

   Translation: I think it’s more likely he overslept or something.

7. To express doubts and concern

   When they’re followed by the question marker か (transcribed ka), 〜だろう (transcribed darō) or 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) can be added to an expression of doubt or concern. An English equivalent might be “I wonder if….”

   • 武田さん、遅いですね。飛行機にまにあうでしょうか。

     Transcription: Takeda san, osoi desu ne. Hikōki ni maniau deshō ka.

     Translation: Mr. Takeda is late, isn’t he? I wonder if he’ll make it to our flight.
   • 健太くん、ぼくとの約束を覚えているだろうか。

     Transcription: Kenta kun, boku to no yakusoku o oboete iru darō ka.

     Translation: I wonder if Kenta remembers the promise he made with me.

   Even though these sentences end with か (transcribed ka), they’re not actually questions, and the intonation usually goes down at the end of the sentence.

8. To ask polite questions

   Though in its use above 〜でしょうか (transcribed deshō ka) was used to express doubt, this form can be used to ask polite questions. A question that ends with 〜でしょうか (transcribed deshō ka) sounds more hesitant and less direct than one that ends with 〜ですか (transcribed desu ka).

   The intonation here may go up, but it doesn’t have to, since the か (transcribed ka) ending indicates that you’re asking a question.

   Student:

   夜分遅くにすみません。古川先生のお宅でしょうか。

   Transcription: Yabun osoku ni sumimasen. Furukawa sensei no otaku deshō ka.

   Translation: I’m sorry for calling you late at night. Is this Professor Furukawa’s residence?

   Hotel cafe waiter:

   コーヒーのおかわりはいかがでしょうか。

   Transcription: Kōhii no okawari wa ikaga deshō ka.

   Translation: How about another cup of coffee?

9. As an interjection

   In everyday conversations, だろう？ (transcribed darō?), でしょう？ (transcribed deshō?), and their short forms でしょ？ (transcribed desho?) and だろ？ (transcribed daro?) can be also used on their own, like interjections. It’s used a little like English exclamations “I know, right?” or “It is, isn’t it?” In this use, you’re assuming that you and your listener share the same opinion.

   • Speaker A:

     うーん、すばらしい演奏でしたね。感動しました。

     Transcription: Ūn, subarashii ensō deshita ne. Kandō shimashita.

     Translation: Hmm, that was a fantastic performance, wasn’t it? I’m moved.

     Speaker B:

     でしょう？ 天才なんですよ、彼女は。

     Transcription: Deshō? Tensai nan desu yo, kanojo wa.

     Translation: It was, wasn’t it? A genius, that’s what she is.
   • Speaker A:

     わあ、このラーメン最高！

     Transcription: Wā, kono rāmen saikō!

     Translation: Wow, this ramen is the best!

     Speaker B (masculine):

     だろ？ 決め手はやっぱりスープなんだよな。

     Transcription: Daro? Kimete wa yappari sūpu nanda yo na.

     Translation: I know, right? The key is the soup after all.

In this post, we’ve gone over all the most common uses of 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) in Japanese. Here are the most important points to remember:

• These endings follow the plain or dictionary form of a verb, adjective, or noun.

• The two most basic uses of these endings are:

  1. To speculate or make a prediction:

     明日は晴れるだろう。

     Transcription: Ashita wa hareru darō.

     Translation: It will probably be sunny tomorrow.
  2. To ask for confirmation or agreement:

     週末はどうせひまでしょう？

     Transcription: Shūmatsu wa dōse hima deshō?

     Translation: You have nothing to do this weekend anyway, right?

• We saw how those two basic uses can be extended to a lot of other uses including…

  • Reminding someone of something

  • Expressing empathy or understanding

  • Reproaching the listener

  • Countering someone else’s speculation

  • Expressing doubts or concerns

  • Asking polite questions

  • An exclamation of agreement

Ready to practice what you’ve learned? Check out our 〜だろう (transcribed darō) and 〜でしょう (transcribed deshō) exercises to test your skills! Happy learning!