Maybe and Probably: かもしれない / でしょう

Handle uncertainty by learning two core patterns for possibility and probability in beginner reading and conversation.

Use かもしれない for uncertain possibility.Use でしょう for likely conclusions or soft predictions.Read the speaker’s confidence level instead of treating all guesses the same.

Guided study

かもしれない: maybe or might

かもしれない expresses a possibility when the speaker is not sure. The content before it usually appears in plain form. The polite version is かもしれません.

田中さんはもう帰ったかもしれない。

Tanaka might have already gone home.

The speaker is guessing but is not certain.

明日は寒いかもしれません。

It might be cold tomorrow.

かもしれません is the polite form.

この店は休みかもしれない。

This shop might be closed today.

The speaker leaves room for uncertainty.

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