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Activities: When to use だろう (darō) and でしょう (deshō) in Japanese?

By: Mayumi Ito

Exercise 1: Non-declarative sentences

Let’s start with a review on how to form sentences with 〜だろう and 〜でしょう. Rewrite each declarative statement into a non-declarative statement using either だろう or でしょう based on the level of politeness in the original sentence (no need to consider the gender of the speaker in this exercise). Add the English translation as well.

  1. Declarative sentence:

    これは北斎の作品だ。
    Kore wa Hokusai no sakuhin da.
    This is a work by Hokusai.

    Non-declarative sentence:

  2. Declarative sentence:

    明日も風がつよいです。
    Ashita mo kaze ga tsuyoi desu.
    It will be windy tomorrow as well.

    Non-declarative sentence:

  3. Declarative sentence:

    昔はりっぱだった。
    Mukashi wa rippa datta.
    It was once magnificent.

    Non-declarative sentence:

  4. Declarative sentence:

    荷物は今日届きます。
    Nimotsu wa kyō todokimasu.
    The package will arrive today.

    Non-declarative sentence:

  5. Declarative sentence:

    森の中はしずかだ。
    Mori no naka wa shizuka da.
    It’s quiet in the forest.

    Non-declarative sentence:

  6. Declarative sentence:

    私ならあきらめません。
    Watashi nara akiramemasen.
    If it were I, I would not give up.

    Non-declarative sentence:

  7. Declarative sentence:

    テストはあまりむずかしくなかった。
    Tesuto wa amari muzukashiku nakatta.
    The test was not very difficult.

    Non-declarative sentence:

  8. Declarative sentence:

    ジョンはビーチでのんびりしています。
    Joh wa biichi de nonbiri shite iru.
    John is taking it easy on the beach.

    Non-declarative sentence:

Exercise 2: Complete the sentence

Complete each Japanese sentence (and its English translation) by using words in the word bank. You must use one of でしょう / だろう / でしょ / だろ, based on the politeness level of the given situation as well as your own gender or preferred style. The correct answers vary. Make sure to change the word form as necessary.
  1. Situation

    The outside temperature is 100℉ (in the shade). You have just invited your visitor into your well air-conditioned house. Let’s express your empathy to them!

    Vocabulary

    暑い transcribed atsuimeaning hot, 外 transcribed sotomeaning outside

    いらっしゃい。 。冷たい麦茶でもどうぞ。
    Irasshai. ... . Tsumetai mugicha demo dōzo.
    Welcome. ... . Have some cold barley tea.

  2. Situation

    Your younger brother has been playing soccer inside the house despite your numerous warnings. He has just knocked a reading lamp off the end table, which broke into pieces. Let’s admonish him for ignoring your warning.

    Vocabulary

    言う transcribed iumeaning to say; tell

    だから、家のなかでサッカーするなって !
    Dakara, ie no naka de sakkā suruna tte ... !
    So, ... not to play soccer inside the house, didn’t I!　

  3. Situation

    In the afternoon, your boss begs you to finish an urgent project by 5 p.m. You know that it’s rather a tall order and you probably won’t make it. Let’s tell them your grim prediction as an expert.

    Vocabulary

    まにあう transcribed maniaumeaning to be on time; make it, おそらく transcribed osorakumeaning probably

    うーん、やってみますが、。
    Ūn, yatte mimasu ga, ... .　
    Hmm, I’ll try, but ... .

  4. Situation

    You are traveling to Osaka via Shinkansen (bullet train). Your ticket is only for unreserved seats. You find an empty seat next to a businessperson, but not sure if it’s taken or not. Let’s politely ask them to find out.

    Vocabulary

    空いている transcribed aite irumeaning to be available; not occupied, この席 transcribed kono sekimeaning this seat

    すみません、 。
    Sumimasen, ... .
    Excuse me, ... .

  5. Situation

    You are chatting with your old grade school classmate. You want to talk about your fond memory regarding the carp that lived in a small pond on the school grounds, but you are not sure if they remember about it. Let’s help them activate their memories.

    Vocabulary

    いる transcribed irumeaning to have; there is/are, コイ transcribed koimeaning carp

    ほら、学校に?
    Hora, gakkō ni ... ?
    Hey, at school ... ?

  6. Situation

    You and John are waiting for your turn for the oral portion of a Japanese final exam. John is going next, and he is acting fidgety. You observe him and make a mental note on your guess at the reason for his behavior.

    Vocabulary

    あがっている transcribed agatte irumeaning to be feeling nervous, きっと transcribed kittomeaning surely

    ジョンはそわそわしている。。
    Jon wa sowasowa shite iru. ... .
    John is acting fidgety. ... .

  7. Situation

    You have found a bracelet under the table. You think it belongs to Ms. Sato, but not 100% sure. Let’s confirm it with her!

    Vocabulary

    ブレスレット transcribed buresurettomeaning bracelet, これ transcribed koremeaning this, 佐藤さん transcribed Satō sanmeaning Ms. Sato

    ？テーブルの下に落ちていましたよ。
    ... ? Tēburu no shita ni ochite imashita yo.
    ... ? I found it under the table.

  8. Situation

    You have bought a birthday present for your friend, but you don’t know if they will like it or not. Let’s express your concern in your dear diary!

    Vocabulary

    気に入ってくれる transcribed ki ni itte kurerumeaning to (kindly) like it

    プレゼントは買ったけど・・・。 。
    Purezento wa katta kedo … .
    I bought a present, but … .

  9. Situation

    You have bought a birthday present for your friend, but you don’t know if they will like it or not. Let’s express your concern in your dear diary!

    Vocabulary

    気に入ってくれる transcribed ki ni itte kurerumeaning to (kindly) like it

    プレゼントは買ったけど・・・。 。
    Purezento wa katta kedo … .
    I bought a present, but … .

  10. Situation

    You have taken your friend for a hike in Japan. At one of your favorite lookout points, your friend praises the great view. Feeling happy and proud, you respond with enthusiasm to agree with them.

    • Friend: わあ、いい景色！
      Wā, ii keshiki!
      Wow, what a view!

    • You: ？ここ、私の / 僕のお気に入りのスポットなんだ。
      ... ? Koko, watashi no / boku no okini’iri no supotto nan da.
      ... ? As a matter of fact, this is my favorite spot.