Making a prediction: でしょう

でしょう can express a guess or prediction: 明日あした は 雨あめ でしょう means “It will probably rain tomorrow.” Depending on context, English may use “probably,” “I expect,” or a less certain “will.”

Use the noun or na-adjective without an added だ before でしょう. I-adjectives and verbs use their plain forms: 高たかい でしょう means “is probably expensive,” and 来くる でしょう means “will probably come.”

With an intonation that seeks agreement, でしょう？ can work like English “right?” or a tag question. 大おおきい でしょう？ means “It’s big, isn’t it?” Listen to the context and tone to distinguish a prediction from a request for confirmation.