Even in conditions when Japanese persons are fairly constructive that one thing is true, they sometimes maintain again on expressing claims. Just like how one may use a layer of wrapping paper to cover what is basically inside a package deal, when talking Japanese, Japanese audio system repeatedly encase their assertions in language that means they don’t seem to be positive about it. To swimsuit this social custom, Japanese provides a wide range of grammatical phrases for various levels of certainty.
For instance, contemplate a situation the place you arrive at work within the morning, and a coworker asks you whether or not you left a doc on her desk final evening. You didn’t try this, however you imagine one other coworker, Tanaka-san, could have. That is what you possibly can say:
- 田中さん[かな / かも / な気がする / だと思う]。
- It is likely to be Tanaka-san.
These 4 phrases are introduced so as of diploma of certainty: from least sure to most sure. Though 4 may seem to be sufficient, that is merely the tip of the iceberg. Japanese has much more comparable expressions, and understanding them is essential for talking the language in a extra Japanese-like method.
To help you in utilizing Japanese in a method that presumably sounds extra Japanese, this text discusses these phrases so as of diploma of certainty. Are you able to be taught them? Perhaps? Maybe? Nicely, it appears you’re prepared, I suppose. So, let’s get the ball rolling!
Conditions: This text assumes you already know hiragana and katakana. If you must brush up, take a look at our Final Hiragana Information and Final Katakana Information.
Notes: This text concentrates extra on the subtleties of every time period, significantly in extraordinary talking or writing. Some expressions won’t be acceptable in formal writing, comparable to educational writing, as formal writing tends to require a inflexible and assertive type typically.
A Huge Image Take a look at Diploma of Certainty Phrases
As talked about within the introduction, there are many methods to convey your assumptions in Japanese. All of those expressions are for “judgments” made in gentle of the accessible info. The understanding of the judgment, nonetheless, could be totally different relying on how a lot info the speaker is aware of, and the way a lot they depend on it to make judgments, in addition to whether or not or not they reached their assumption subjectively or objectively.
To assist your understanding, this is a chart to point out you a tough thought of the knowledge stage and the way subjectivity or objectivity every time period sounds:
“Sure” and “unsure” ought to be fairly self-explanatory, however what do I imply by “subjective” or “goal”? Mainly, the extra “subjective” a time period is, the extra closely it is primarily based by yourself assumptions and instinct, whereas extra “goal” phrases rely a bit extra on exterior info or previous experiences along side your personal ideas.
Don’t fret in the event you aren’t aware of these precise expressions but, although — we’ll go over them one after the other. Additionally, in the event you really feel like this desk is lacking another phrases you already know, comparable to 多分 (maybe) or きっと (certainly), relaxation assured that I will be masking them on this article as effectively, however in a separate part on the backside!
Expressions For Conveying a Low Degree of Certainty
To start out, let’s introduce expressions for conveying the bottom stage of certainty.
〜かな for “I Marvel…”
To specific your feeling of uncertainty, you need to use 〜かな. 〜かな is the equal of the English phrase “I’m wondering…” It is typically used with a notion or a hypothetical situation that has come to thoughts, and implies that you need to take it with a pinch of salt.
For instance, in the event you sneeze and also you marvel if in case you have a chilly, you possibly can stick 〜かな onto 風邪 (chilly) and say:
- 風邪かな。
- I’m wondering if I’ve a chilly.
Right here, 〜かな expresses that whilst you suppose you may need a chilly, you’re nonetheless uncertain and are questioning about it.
You can even connect かな to an extended sentence. As an illustration, in the event you marvel you could develop a fever, you may say:
- 熱が出るかな。
- I’m wondering if I am getting a fever.
In a method, 〜かな is form of like asking your self a query, and thus it is thought of a casual expression.
Once more, on this instance, 〜かな signifies that regardless that you are afraid of getting a fever, you’re nonetheless uncertain and questioning about it.
Attributable to its nature, 〜かな lacks the well mannered type. To specific this form of hypothesis when talking to somebody in a well mannered method, you possibly can as an alternative use 〜ですかね or 〜ますかね, or the extra formal 〜でしょうか(ね).
- 風邪[ですかね / でしょうか(ね)]。
- I’m wondering if I’ve a chilly.
(Actually: Do you suppose I’ve a chilly?)
- 熱[出ますかね / 出るでしょうか(ね)]。
- I’m wondering if I am creating a fever.
(Actually: Do you suppose I’ll develop a fever?)
Right here, です and ます are the marker for the politeness, か is the query particle, and ね is the confirmation-seeking particle. And, でしょう is among the grammar factors used to precise hypothesis. Should you aren’t aware of them, take a look at the linked pages!
〜かもしれない for “Might” or “Would possibly”
〜かもしれない is the Japanese equal of “could” or “may.” It communicates the implication that one thing could also be true, however you are not fully positive. In different phrases, it refers to your guess when there isn’t a concrete proof to assist it.
Let’s use the identical situation of you sneezing. As an alternative of “you marvel,” you suppose you may need a chilly. On this case, you need to use 〜かもしれない and say:
- 風邪かもしれない。
- I may need a chilly.
Right here, 〜かもしれない reveals that even in the event you suspect that you simply may need a chilly, you are not so positive. Should you’re very sure that your sneeze is being brought on by a chilly, you should not use 〜かもしれない.
Observe that 〜かもしれない is commonly shortened to simply 〜かも in informal dialog, or in self-directed speech. So in the event you now have some chills and are telling your member of the family that you simply may develop a fever, it’s normal to drop しれない and say:
- 熱が出るかも。
- I could develop a fever.
Though it’s grammatically incorrect, some individuals use 〜かも with です to lend a way of informal politeness. So in the event you’re telling considered one of your superiors at work that you simply’re pleasant with that you simply may get a fever, you may say:
- 熱が出るかもです。
- I could develop a fever.
Nevertheless, you’ll use the correct well mannered type, 〜かもしれません, in the event you have been talking to a different senior worker with whom you’ve got a stiff, sq. relationship.
- 熱が出るかもしれません。
- I could develop a fever.
Alright, you’ve got most likely had sufficient of 〜かもしれない expressions, so let’s transfer onto the following expression!
〜気がする for “I Have A Feeling…”
〜気がする actually interprets to “have a sense,” and it is used to precise that you simply aren’t sure however “you’ve got a sense that one thing is likely to be the case.”
Since 〜気がする signifies that you’ve got a hunch about one thing, it sounds barely extra sure than 〜かな (I’m wondering) or 〜かもしれない (perhaps/may). Nevertheless, the knowledge stage of this expression continues to be low, as a result of it solely conveys a sense or guess primarily based on instinct, quite than recognized details.
Let’s reuse the sneezing instance to see the way it works. After a giant achoo, in the event you intuitively suppose “Oh, I could have a chilly,” then you need to use 〜気がする and say:
- 風邪引いた気がする。
- I’ve a sense that I’ve a chilly.
Right here, 〜気がする expresses that whilst you get the sensation that you’ve got a chilly, there is no strong proof to assist this.
What in the event you’ve been experiencing chills and need to inform your boss that you simply sense a fever is coming subsequent? On this circumstance, you need to use the well mannered 〜気がします and say:
- 熱が出そうな気がします。
- I’ve a sense that I could develop a fever.
As soon as extra, 〜気がします demonstrates that whilst you do have a sneaking suspicion that you could be get a fever, there is no concrete proof to again this up.
Alright, now that we have lined all of the low certainty expressions (excluding adverbs, which we’ll be taught later), let’s transfer on to the expressions for conveying a medium stage of certainty!
Expressions For Conveying a Medium Degree of Certainty
On this part, we’ll focus on expressions that convey a medium stage of certainty. You may use these once you suppose you’ve got some proof to assist your argument, nevertheless it stays a matter of conjecture, and you do not need to assert ideas too strongly.
〜っぽい for “Like…,” “-ish,” or “It Appears…”
〜っぽい is a slang-ish suffix that expresses similarity, as in “(really feel) like…,” or “-ish” in English. For instance, in the event you really feel like you’ve got a chilly, you possibly can say:
- 風邪っぽい。
- I really feel like that I’ve a chilly.
And in the event you’re feverish, and also you need to report that to your boss, you possibly can add the well mannered です and say:
- 熱っぽいです。
- I really feel feverish.
In these examples, 〜っぽい casually signifies that you’ve got some signs of a chilly or fever, however you do not essentially know if in case you have an precise chilly or fever.
〜っぽい also can observe the scenario by which you suppose it is possible true primarily based in your statement, like:
- 風邪引いたっぽいです。
- It looks like I’ve a chilly.
On this case, 〜っぽい provides a way of ambiguity, like “Given the signs, it is possible I’ve a chilly, nevertheless it’s not a 100% positive factor.”
〜みたい for “Like…” or “It Appears…”
Just like 〜っぽい, 〜みたい is a suffix that expresses similarity or resemblance to one thing else. As an illustration, in the event you discover a yellow tomato that tastes like or seems to be like a banana, you possibly can say:
- バナナみたい。
- This is sort of a banana.
Relying on the scenario, the usage of 〜みたい right here means that the yellow tomato has a taste or look that’s much like a banana.
In case you are curious, 〜みたい and 〜っぽい are comparable however distinct phrases. バナナみたい implies that you suppose the tomato in some way resembles or is much like a banana, whereas バナナっぽい describes the tomato as having traits which might be form of like a banana.
Now, let’s swap 〜っぽい with 〜みたい within the earlier instance 風邪引いたっぽい。(It looks like I’ve a chilly.), as in:
- 風邪引いたみたいです。
- It looks like I’ve a chilly.
〜みたい and 〜っぽい are certainly very comparable, and have the identical translation when used on this method. If I have been to be choosy, there are very small variations between the 2, although.
That’s, 〜みたい demonstrates your evaluation that your situation is similar to, if not the identical as having a chilly, whereas 〜っぽい reveals that, given your present circumstance, you get a sense that you’ve got a chilly.
Since 〜みたい signifies your evaluation, 風邪引いたみたいです is barely extra sure than 風邪引いたっぽいです. Nevertheless, as a result of ambivalence added by 〜みたい, 風邪引いたみたいです nonetheless presents the message that you simply’re conscious that you simply most likely have a chilly, however are coming to phrases with it.
〜だろう/〜でしょう for “I Guess In all probability…”
In case your speculation about one thing relies on opinions and views with some justifications, you need to use the expression 〜だろう, or its well mannered type 〜でしょう, as in:
- 風邪だろうね。
- I suppose that is most likely a chilly.
- 熱も出るでしょうね。
- I suppose that they’re going to most likely develop a fever, too.
Right here, 〜だろう/でしょう suggests that you’re making a private guess that you simply imagine might be true, whereas additionally suggesting that it’s supported by some type of proof.
These phrases are sometimes used whereas making an statement and drawing your personal conclusions. Though it’s potential to make use of them to speak about your self, speaking about any person or one thing else is much extra typical.
One other factor to bear in mind is that だろう, or its abbreviation だろ, has an unrefined and rugged tone as-is. This rough-hewn facet works effectively once you’re making an affirmative assertion about your guess in writing or in a proper speech. In extraordinary talking, nonetheless, it sounds powerful and is commonly thought of masculine.
To melt the sound, the ultimate particle ね is often used with it, simply as within the examples above 〜だろうね. However, 〜でしょう is a really well mannered expression and is favored in formal conditions. Including ね to it, as in 〜でしょうね, could make it sound female, although it is used throughout the gender spectrum in formal settings.
For these nuances, each 〜だろう and 〜でしょう won’t all the time be the popular selections in extraordinary conversations. As an alternative, many individuals select 〜と思う (I feel…) as an alternative to convey their assertion typically conditions. Talking of which, you possibly can simply scroll all the way down to see how 〜と思う is used!
〜と思う for “I Assume/Consider…”
While you draw a conclusion primarily based on some proof, and truly imagine it is prone to be true, you need to use the expression 〜と思う (I feel/imagine…), which is the mix of the citation marker と and the verb 思う (to suppose).
For instance, in the event you not solely sneezed however have chills and fatigue, you could say:
- 風邪引いたと思う。
- I feel that I’ve a chilly.
Right here, 〜と思う expresses that you’ve got some purpose to again up your declare, and also you naturally got here to suppose that is most likely the case.
While you say 〜と思う, you’re merely expressing a thought, thought, or notion that simply occurred to you.
Should you’re questioning why the phrase “naturally” was inserted there, good eye! Japanese has two verbs for “suppose,” 思う and 考える. Between the 2, 思う refers to extra spontaneous considering that bubbles up naturally “in your coronary heart,” whereas 考える is a extra methodical form of energetic considering, which we’d say occurs “in your head.”
Now, let’s check out the above instance 風邪引いたと思う once more. Right here, the declare 風邪引いた (I caught/have a chilly) is a extremely satisfied sentence in and of itself (we’ll speak about this later too!), and what 〜と思う is doing is definitely softening the assertion by stating that it is the notion that naturally got here to you.
Because of this, the knowledge of 〜と思う adjustments relying on the sentence you connect it to. For instance, you possibly can lower the extent of certainty by including 〜かな (I’m wondering) or 〜かも(しれない) (could/may) to the declare, like:
- 風邪引いた[かな / かも(しれない)]と思う。
- I feel that I could have a chilly.
On this case, 〜と思う softens the already imprecise かな/かもしれない statements and makes them even much less sure. However, in the event you add an adverb like 絶対 (undoubtedly), it turns into a powerful conviction:
- 絶対風邪引いたと思う。
- I feel that I undoubtedly have a chilly.
However once more, simply saying 絶対 風邪引いた with out 〜と思う is stronger, and what 〜と思う is actually softening the robust assertion.
This occurs in English too, however as was talked about at first, Japanese individuals sometimes reserve making assertions about one thing until they’re totally sure that it’s correct. In consequence, you hear 〜と思う, or 〜気がする (I’ve a sense…), used with many Japanese remarks to assist the speaker really feel comfortable.
There was lots on this part to absorb, huh? One remaining level: the well mannered type of 思う is 思います. So, use 思います when telling your ideas to somebody with whom you must converse to in a courteous method.
〜そう for “It Seems to be/Appears Like…”
You can even use 〜そう once you imagine that one thing is about to occur, somebody goes to do one thing, or some situation is likely to be the case. For instance, in the event you really feel such as you may develop a fever, you possibly can mix it with the verb 出る and say:
- 熱が出そう。
- It seems to be/looks like I am going to develop a fever.
〜そう may also be used with adjectives, too. For instance, in case your pal seen you were not feeling effectively, they may add 〜そう to an い-adjective しんどい and say:
- しんどそうだね。
- It seems to be/looks like you are not feeling effectively.
As talked about earlier, 〜そう principally interprets to “it seems to be/looks like” in English. To place it one other method, you need to use this to easily describe what you suppose goes to occur, primarily based in your statement of the current scenario.
Since 〜そう is principally your report on what one thing “seems to be/looks like” primarily based in your statement, its certainty stage is barely increased than different expressions we have discovered up to now. Nevertheless, it nonetheless implies that you simply aren’t sure, so when speaking about what’s seemingly about to occur, it typically goes effectively with 〜気がする, as in:
- 熱が出そうな気がする。
- I’ve a sense that I’ll seemingly develop a fever.
Observe that since 〜そう is an expression that is depending on what you’re observing on the time you are talking, you can’t use it to elucidate an occasion that occurred previously.
Expressions For Conveying a Excessive Degree of Certainty
Now you’ve got discovered all of the expressions for low and medium certainty, let’s transfer onto the high-certainty expressions.
〜はず for “Supposed To Be” or “Ought to Be”
Should you suppose that one thing is “supposed” to be or “ought to” be the case, foreseeably primarily based on goal, logical inference, the phrase 〜はず is available in play.
So if in case you have sneezed, get some chills, and foresee {that a} fever is about to develop, you possibly can say:
- 熱が出るはず。
- I ought to have a fever quickly.
Right here, 〜はず signifies that you simply imagine that it is extremely possible {that a} fever is coming quickly, and that perception relies on believable info.
And in case your assistant at work has some reminiscence of getting acetaminophen within the workplace cupboard, they might politely say:
- 薬があったはずです。
- There ought to be some medicine, if I bear in mind appropriately.
On this instance, 〜はず means that they’ve a reminiscence of getting some medication, if their reminiscence is correct.
In different phrases, 〜はず signifies an excellent diploma of certainty, however not 100%. It conveys that you simply assume or imagine that one thing is the case, however that you simply’re conscious that it is not essentially so.
〜に違いない for “Should”
Like 〜はず, 〜に 違いない additionally denotes a excessive diploma of certainty, nevertheless it implies that your personal subjective judgment is concerned to succeed in the conclusion.
It is simpler to understand the nuance of 〜に 違いない whereas evaluating it with 〜はず, so let’s convey again the sooner instance of you foreseeing an upcoming fever for comparability:
- 熱が出る[はず / に違いない]。
- I ought to have a fever quickly.
The implication right here may be very comparable, as each indicate that you’ve got reached the idea that you’re extremely prone to have a fever quickly, given that you simply at the moment have sneezes and chills.
〜に違いない sounds extra assured and powerful than
〜はず, as a result of it conveys your private conviction on the conclusion.
The literal that means of 違いない is “no distinction” or “not a mistake.” It signifies that one thing is strictly what you suppose with none distinction or inaccuracy.
Thus, the literal that means of the phrase 〜に違いない is “I affirm that XYZ is correct and proper in each facet,” which after all conveys a really excessive diploma of certainty.
As you possibly can see, what 〜に違いない implies is sort of inflexible. Therefore, it is extra of a literary expression than colloquial.
Though 〜はず and 〜に違いない have been interchangeable within the above instance, due to the slight distinction in nuance, they can not all the time be swapped. As an illustration, as a consequence of its robust confidence, 〜に違いない can’t be used within the scenario the place you bear in mind one thing and it is extremely possible, however you are not 100% positive, like:
- 薬があった[はず(です) / ❌に違いない(です) / ❌に違いありません]。
- There ought to be some medicine, if I bear in mind appropriately.
Should you use 〜に違いない, or its well mannered types 〜に違いないです or 〜に違いありません, within the above sentence, it will sound as in the event you’re a detective or a some type investigator — it is as in the event you’re drawing conclusions concerning the crime scene and asserting that some form of medicine will need to have been current at a selected location previously.
The bottom of your declare could be both details, information, and even simply your intuition, however with all the knowledge at your disposal, 〜に違いない expresses that you simply can’t be sure that that would be the case.
For this connotation, detective characters in fiction could incessantly make use of 〜に違いない in speech. Nevertheless, few individuals need to sound like detectives in actual life, so to say the identical factor, individuals sometimes use 〜と思う, or its well mannered 〜と思うんです or 〜と思います, with an adverb, comparable to 絶対 (undoubtedly):
- 絶対薬があった[と思う / と思うんです / と思います]。
- I certainly suppose that there was some medicine.
We’ll quickly undergo all of the adverbs for various ranges of certainty. Earlier than shifting on, nonetheless, now we have one final expression for prime certainty to debate: the plain type.
Plain Kind for “Realization” or “Conviction”
The vast majority of textbooks do not point out this, however when Japanese individuals have simply realized one thing or are lastly satisfied that one thing is the case, they sometimes simply state it utilizing the phrase in its most simple “plain type.”
For instance, in the event you sneeze and grow to be satisfied that you’ve got a chilly, you may merely use the plain type and say:
- あ、風邪引いた(わ/な)。
- Oh, I’ve/acquired a chilly.
Then, in the event you really feel a chill approaching and are sure a fever will begin, you possibly can say:
- うん、熱も出る(わ/な)。
- Yep, I am gonna have a fever.
Now suppose you genuinely begin feeling sick and have a excessive fever, and imagine it is a flu. You may say:
- インフルエンザだ(わ/な)。
- This have to be the flu.
These examples all have a plain type ending, both within the current or the previous tense. They’ll nonetheless take sentence-final particles which might be directed at your self, comparable to わ (a judgment/sentiment marker) or な (a discovery marker). However even with out them, ending a sentence in a plain type sufficiently communicates your judgment or your discovery that one thing is true and that you’re assured in it.
You do not sometimes see the well mannered type on this use as a result of it is primarily used for a self-directed realization or conviction. Nevertheless, you could use the well mannered type if you’re speaking to the viewers and talking in a well mannered method typically.
As an illustration, in the event you’re live-streaming your life and also you suppose you’ve got a fever the second you’ve got sneezed, you may say:
- あ、風邪引きました(ね)。
- Oh, I’ve/acquired a chilly.
Then, in the event you really feel a chill and anticipate a fever approaching, you possibly can say:
- うん、熱も出ます(ね)。
- Yep, I am gonna have a fever.
After which, you truly get actually sick and have grow to be to suppose you’ve got the flu, you may say:
- インフルエンザです(ね)。
- This have to be the flu.
As you possibly can see within the examples, it is customary to make use of the particle ね on this scenario to solicit viewers settlement, as in “do you agree with my realization?”
Okay, now that we have gone by way of each expression for certainty, all that is left is to take a look at adverbs! Do not be alarmed; since you’ve got already discovered a lot, I am going to solely briefly undergo every adverb. So, let’s carry on and get to the end line of this text collectively!
Adverbs For Completely different Ranges of Uncertainty
Along with the expressions discovered above, there are adverbs that denote numerous levels of uncertainty. These adverbs incessantly associate with different expressions you beforehand discovered, significantly with 思う, however the frequency of collocations depends upon the phrase.
As promised, we can’t go into nice element about every adverb on this half; as an alternative, I am going to checklist the essential adverbs for various ranges of uncertainty (sure, there are literally greater than our checklist!😅), clarify the essential definition, and probably the most frequent collocation.
なんだか or なんか for “Considerably” or “Someway”
なんだか, or its extra colloquial informal model なんか, is an adverb for “considerably” or in some way.” This expression incessantly goes with 〜気がする, as in:
- なん(だ)か熱が出そうな気がする。
- Someway I’ve a sense that I could develop a fever.
By including なん(だ)か to the sentence with 〜気がする, it might muddy up your already-murky intuitive guess and make it sound extra ambiguous.
もしかしたら for “Perhaps” or “Maybe”
もしかしたら is an adverb for “perhaps” or “maybe,” and it is used when presuming one thing with a level of doubt. This expression is commonly used with 〜かも(しれない), as in:
- もしかしたら風邪引いたかもしれない。
- Perhaps I may need a chilly.
Different adverbs like もしかすると, ひょっとしたら, or ひょっとすると categorical the same nuance, however もしかしたら is the most typical.
多分 for “Perhaps,” “Maybe,” or “In all probability”
多分 is one other phrase for “perhaps” or “maybe,” however its certainty stage is increased than もしかしたら and thus it mostly interprets as “most likely.”
Therefore, it is sometimes used with 〜だろう/でしょう or 〜と思う, as in:
- 多分風邪だろう。
- I assume it is most likely a chilly.
- 多分風邪引いたと思う。
- I feel I most likely have a chilly.
But it surely may also be used with different expressions comparable to 〜かな, 〜かも(しれない), or 〜はず.
恐らく for “In all probability”
恐らく additionally often interprets to “most likely”, however its certainty stage is increased than 多分, and it is typically used to foretell a nasty final result sooner or later. Additionally, the tone is extra formal and literary, so it is best fitted to formal conversations or in writing.
Due to this nuance, 恐らく is mostly used with a really affirmative declare, accompanied by an inferring expression, comparable to 〜だろう/でしょう or 〜と思う.
- 恐らく風邪だろう。
- I assume it is most likely a chilly.
- 恐らく風邪を引いたんだと思います。
- I feel I most likely have a chilly.
Within the above examples, the primary one feels like a written sentence or a blunt, self-directed thought, whereas the latter feels like a proper and well mannered speech.
きっと for “In all probability,” “Certainly,” or “Actually”
きっと is one other adverb that might translate to “most likely,” however its certainty stage is far increased than 多分 or 恐らく and thus it mostly interprets to “certainly” or “actually.”
Therefore, it may be used with an inferring expression, comparable to 〜だろう/でしょう or 〜と思う, however it might additionally go effectively with the expressions like 〜はず or 〜に 違いない.
- きっと熱が出る[だろう / と思う]。
- I assume I am going to certainly develop a fever.
- きっと熱が出る[はず / に違いない]。
- I am positive I am going to develop a fever.
Observe that きっと additionally has different implications relying on the context. For instance, the next sentence can have two readings relying on the context.
- きっと元気になるよ！
- I am positive [I’ll / you’ll / they’ll] be higher quickly.
Right here, in the event you’re speaking about your self, it expresses willpower — you are decided to be higher quickly. When speaking about another person, then again, it might categorical a powerful want — you actually hope they need to be higher quickly.
確実に or 絶対に for “Certainly,” “Actually,” or “Completely”
確実に and 絶対に are the phrases for “certainly,” “actually,” or “completely,” and so they categorical a really excessive diploma of certainty.
Therefore, they can be utilized with an inferring expression, comparable to comparable to 〜だろう/でしょう or 〜と思う, but in addition go effectively with expressions like 〜はず, 〜に 違いない.
- [確実に / 絶対に]熱が出る[だろう / と思う]。
- I assume I am going to actually develop a fever.
- [確実に / 絶対に]熱が出る[はず / に違いない]。
- I am positive I am going to actually develop a fever.
They usually additionally go effectively with the plain type when expressing “realization” or “conviction.”
- これ[確実に / 絶対に]インフルエンザだ。
- I am sure that is the flu.
Between the 2, 確実に facilities on “certainty” primarily based on the target incontrovertible fact that there are not any errors, adjustments, and so forth., wheras 絶対に merely means “completely” and signifies being uncontested by something.
間違いなく for “Unmistakably” or “Positively”
One other adverb with a really excessive stage of certainty is 間違いなく, which signifies your unambiguous conviction and may translate “unmistakably” or “undoubtedly.”
It goes effectively with an inferring expression, comparable to comparable to 〜だろう/でしょう or 〜と思う or the plain type of a phrase that expresses “realization” or “conviction.”
- 間違いなく熱が出る[だろう / と思う]。
- I assume I am going to undoubtedly develop a fever.
- 間違いなく熱が出る(わ)。
- I am positive I am going to undoubtedly develop a fever.
Observe that 間違いなく suggests that you’ve got given your judgment that one thing is undeniably true primarily based on some info you’ve got. In consequence, it carries a extra formal tone when in comparison with 確実に and 絶対に, although it might nonetheless be utilized in on a regular basis speech.
Fairly Presumably the Conclusion
Whew! I do know that is quite a lot of info to cowl, however don’t be concerned if you have not memorized all of it but. This web page could be a reference so that you can revisit time and again till you’ve got acquired all of it down.
Understand that the extent of certainty described on this article is simply an approximation, as the knowledge conveyed can change relying on the context of the sentence, the one who makes use of the expression, and extra.
Lastly, like I discussed, be aware that this text is simply the tip of the iceberg; Japanese has tons of various methods for making statements much less sure or extra imprecise, together with layering a number of the above expressions, utilizing double negatives, or extra. Nonetheless, hopefully this can be a good start line for including extra nuance to your personal Japanese, or serving to you perceive the extent of certainty that somebody is making an attempt to precise. Try to observe what kinds of statements Japanese persons are making in actual life and the context by which they’re making these statements, and hopefully this form of nuance will grow to be second nature to you.
Footnotes:
