Meaning & usage
だろう expresses the speaker's guess that something is likely true, like probably or I suppose, when the outcome is uncertain. It attaches to the plain form, as in 降るだろう, 高いだろう, and 休みだろう, with だ dropped before it for nouns and na-adjectives, while でしょう is the polite equivalent used in formal speech. Avoid using it for confirmed schedules or known facts, and keep the hedging sense rather than a certain will.
Example sentences 8
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この車、高いんだろうな。
This car is probably expensive.
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明日は雨が降るだろう。
It will probably rain tomorrow.
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彼はもう家に帰っただろう。
He has probably gone home already.
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この問題は少し難しいだろう。
This problem is probably a little difficult.
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バスはもう来ないだろう。
The bus probably won't come anymore.
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あの店は日曜日は休みだろう。
That shop is probably closed on Sundays.
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彼女はこの映画が好きだろう。
She probably likes this movie.
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明日の試験は大丈夫だろう。
Tomorrow's exam will probably be fine.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 11 past exam questions.
And 7 more tests.
