Usually the Japanese don't claim something unless they are absolutely sure that it is correct. In this article, we are going to see some expressions that show how the Japanese do everything to say nothing without being sure of something. Japanese words help a lot in this regard, but this is all a matter of culture.
Like punctuality, the Japanese want to be responsible in their words and don't want to promise something where unforeseen or uncertainty can get in the way. They also don't want to give opinions that are sure to jeopardize the listener's decision.
The Japanese language loves ambiguity. Declarative sentences are not confident; rather, they are arrogant. Avoid being certain or stating something that you do not have 100% confidence in being correct. If you are confident, you can say a nice もちろん.
Words like "maybe, it seems, could be, probably, possibly, I don't know or I think" are also very helpful when trying to avoid topics and conversations.
Table of Contents
Words that express uncertainty
A very common word to answer questions without certainty is the word tabun (多分) which means "maybe and probably", and is often placed in the middle of sentences. The word is written with ideograms that also express a large quantity, which shows more certainty than uncertainty. This word can be used when you are not sure about something (maybe) or when you do not know if the circumstances will allow (probably).
Another popular word is kamoshirenai [かも知れない] or kamoshiremasen (formal). This function expresses that something "may" happen, but there is no certainty. The word can be reduced to kamo [かも] in sentences, but that is quite informal. It can be literally translated to "maybe, may, might be, or possibly."
Even when the Japanese express their own opinion about something, they often use the expression to omou [...と思う] or omoimasu [思います], which means I think or I believe. The Japanese try to minimize their opinions interfering in the lives of others.
Other words that express maybe or probably are:
| 若しかしたら | maybe | maybe, by chance |
| 若しかして | maybe | perhaps, possibly, will it be, by any chance, if I'm not mistaken |
| 事にすると | koto ni suru to | perhaps, possibly |
| かもね | "kamone" | maybe, it could be |
| 事によると | koto ni yoru to | perhaps, possibly |
| ひょっとすると | The string "hyottosuruto" does not have a direct English translation as it appears to be a Japanese word or phrase. If it refers to the Japanese word "ひょっとすると," it can be translated as "perhaps" or "maybe." However, if it is used as a proper noun or title, it may remain unchanged. Please provide additional context if available for a more accurate translation. | maybe; possibly |
| 恐らく | probably | maybe, probably, dare I say |
| 若しや | moshiya | maybe, possibly, by some chance, by some possibility |
| 蓋し | kedashi | maybe, probably |
Words that express some certainty
There are words that are used to express a certain level of certainty, close to tabun (多分). Some phrases even require both words to express better. Let's talk about 2 endings that are darou and deshou.
It seems you're asking for a translation of the Japanese word "Deshou," which is often used to express conjecture or agreement, similar to "isn't it?" or "perhaps." In this context, it doesn't translate directly into English as it's used in conversation. If you meant something else or need a different context, please provide further details! (でしょう) can be literally translated as "it seems, probably, I think, I wonder, I suppose, and I hope". This expression can also be used as a question.""Don't you agree?", "Don't you think?", right?".
Perhaps (だろう) means the same thing as (でしょう), except it sounds more masculine and is mostly used by men. Both words can sound informal depending on the way you say it, especially if you shorten it when pronouncing it.
Different from kamoshirenai, darou and deshou cannot be used when talking about one's own actions like "I think I'll go tomorrow." Kamoshirenai is used to express a sense of probability or doubt; it conveys more uncertainty than darou and deshou.
The word deshou is often used in weather forecasts. The Japanese do not say "tomorrow it will rain," but rather "it will probably rain tomorrow."
example sentences
Let's see some examples below:
| Japanese | Romaji | Portuguese |
| トムは多分眠っている。 | Tomu is probably sleeping. | Tom is probably sleeping. |
| 多分彼女は来るでしょう。 | Tabun kanojo wa kurudeshou. | Maybe she will. |
| 多分君が正しいのだろう。 | Perhaps you are right. | Perhaps you are right. |
| その食べ物はおいしいでしょう。 | Sono tabemono wa oishīdeshou. | This food looks delicious (I think) |
| 明日は晴れでしょう。 | Ashita wa haredeshou. | Tomorrow will probably be sunny |
| 君もパーティに行くだろう？ | Are you going to the party too? | You're going to the party aren't you? (Am I right?) |
| 何か悪いことが彼にふりかかるかも知れない。 | Something bad might befall him. | Something bad can happen to him |
| 私は間違ったのかも知れない。 | I may have been wrong. | I may have made a mistake. |
| 彼の言ったことは本当かも知れない。 | His words may be true after all. | What he said may be true. |
