Learn Japanese grammar: だろう (darou). Meaning: I think; it seems; probably; right?
Although there are many different meanings, which may seem confusing, it is usually easy to understand from context. Let’s look at some basic examples.
BTW, sometimes this grammar is shortened to just だろ (daro), but the meaning is the same.
Example A)
嘘だろう。
uso darou.
You’re kidding (surely that’s a lie)
That’s a lie, right?
This method can express either confidence that it is likely a lie, or express that you are asking for confirmation, though it depends on the tone of the speaker and the situation.
Example 2)
雨が降るだろう。
ame ga furu darou.
It seems like it’s going to rain.
I think it’s going to rain.
Like the previous example, the meaning changes depending on the speaker’s tone and the situation. When spoken in a questioning type of tone, it is asking for confirmation from whoever the speaker is talking to. Otherwise, it expresses what the speaker is thinking; in this case thinking that it is likely to rain.
Used with questions
Example C) showing speculation
それは何だろう。
sore wa nan darou?
I wonder what that is..
Click the image to download the flashcard.
Download all N5 grammar flashcards.
Download our complete
JLPT N5 Grammar Master E-book.
Access ALL extra downloads, ebooks, and study guides by supporting JLPT Sensei on Patreon.
だろう - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.
Example #1
彼はもうすぐ来るだろう。
Example #2
そうだろうと思ったよ。
Example #3
明日はたぶん雨が降るだろう。空に雲がたくさんあるから。
Example #4
間違いないだろう。
Example #5
たぶんこの雨は１時間ぐらいでやむだろう。
Example #6
あそこにいる人は誰だろう。
Example #7
この肉は、もう食べないほうがいいだろう。もう悪くなってしまった。
Example #8
どうして日本の夏はこんなに暑いんだろう。
Vocabulary List 語彙
| Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
|---|---|---|
| 嘘 | うそ | lie |
| 雨 | あめ | rain |
| 降る | ふる | to fall |
| 雨が降る | あめがふる | to rain |
| 新しい | あたらしい | new |
| かっこいい | cool | |
| 先生 | せんせい | teacher |
| 来る | くる | to come |
| 思う | おもう | to think |
| 間違い | まちがい | mistake |
View all JLPT N5 Vocabulary Lessons
View all JLPT N5 Grammar Lessons
Recommended JLPT N5 Books
Nihongo So-matome: JLPT N5
This book covers everything you need to pass the JLPT N5 in just 6 weeks! (Kanji, Vocabulary, Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Listening Comprehension)
See price on Amazon
GENKI I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
This is the best all around book for beginners learning Japanese in English. I used this in my first year studying Japanese. I found it to be far better and easier to use than the many other books I was using.
See price on Amazon
Jlpt N5 Japanese Lauguage Proficiency Test Official Practice Test
This is the official practice test of the JLPT N5. I highly recommend doing at least 1 practice test before taking the real test.
See price on Amazon
Jlpt N5 Japanese Lauguage Proficiency Test Official Practice Test (NEW 2018)
This is the new version of the official JLPT N5 practice test. If you've already taken the old practice test, this is a good option to practice with some different questions.
See price on Amazon
