Maybe, probably, should be
Japanese speakers rarely state a guess as a fact. かもしれない (might), でしょう (probably) and はず (should be) let you say how sure you are, from the weather forecast to where you left your keys. Tap to hear any line. The bar at the bottom plays a hands-free drill for walking.
G
25 everyday words
Each card shows a word, the guessing form, and a sentence about plans, the weather or lost things. Eight reuse words from earlier lessons.
M
Might and should
Both go after the plain form. With nouns and な-adjectives, かもしれない drops だ, while はず adds な or の.
| After | Might | Should be |
|---|
- How sure are you? かもしれない: maybe. でしょう and だろう: probably. はず: it should, as far as I know.
- でしょう you'll hear. Weather forecasts and polite staff use でしょう. With family, でしょ？ means "right?", and men often say だろう.
- Casual かも. In speech かもしれない is often cut to かも:
C
Three patterns to use today
Z
Say it in Japanese
Say each one out loud before you reveal the answer. Getting close counts.