Certainty in Japanese
This lesson offers a quick guide to mastering expressions of certainty and speculation, enhancing your communication skills and cultural understanding. Memorize and start to use these 9words in your conversation today.
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9 Ways to be Certain in Japanese
When discussing degrees of commitment or certainty in Japanese, various words and phrases can be used to express different levels of assurance or doubt. Here's a list of 9 such words, ranked from the highest degree of commitment to the lowest:
1. 絶対 - absolutely; without a doubt
Shows the highest level of commitment or certainty. It is used when the speaker is sure about something without any doubts.
2. 必ず - definitely; without fail
Indicates a strong commitment, similar to 絶対 but with a nuance of necessity or inevitability.
3. 間違いなく - undoubtedly; without mistake
間違いなく is used to express confidence in the truth or outcome of something, implying that there's no room for error （間違い）.
4. きっと - surely; certainly
きっと expresses a strong belief or hope in something, though it's slightly less forceful than the above terms and may not be based on as much hard evidence.
5. 確かに - certainly; for sure
確かに is used when the speaker is relatively sure of something but acknowledges the possibility, however slight, of being incorrect.
6. 恐らく - probably; likely; perhaps
恐らく introduces a level of speculation, indicating that the speaker believes something to be true but is less certain.
7. もしかしたら - possibly; if by any chance
もしかしたら further reduces the level of certainty, suggesting something is a possibility but not assured.
8. かもしれない - might; may
かもしれない is attached to the end of verbs, adjectives, and nouns to indicate that something might be the case, showing low commitment.
9. 多分 - probably; maybe
多分 is often used to express a lower degree of confidence while still agreeing something might be true.
A Closer Look at Expressing Certainty
Now, let's take a deep dive into each of words.
1. 絶対 - absolutely; without a doubt
Shows the highest level of commitment or certainty. It is used when the speaker is sure about something without any doubts.
Kanji Meaning
絶
This character conveys meanings such as "to discontinue," "to sever," "to cut off," or "to extinguish." It implies a sense of finality or totality, suggesting that there is no continuation or possibility of change. Notice the pronunciation changes from ぜつ to ぜっ before certain sounds.
対
This character means "opposite," "against," or "face to face." When combined with 絶, it suggests a concept of absolute or total opposition to doubt or uncertainty, reinforcing the idea of complete certainty.
Usage and Example Sentences
- Adverbial Form: 絶対, combined with に, is most commonly used as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs to express a high level of certainty or necessity. It doesn't change form and can be used directly before the verb or adjective it modifies.
絶対に遅れないでください。
absolutely | not be late | please
Absolutely do not be late.
- 絶対に absolutely; without a doubt [絶対 (absolute) + に (adverbial particle)]
- 遅れないで do not be late [遅れる (to be late) in negative request form]
- ください please [the polite request form]
- Noun Form: Though less common, 絶対 can also function as a noun, often in the context of discussing absolute values or principles.
彼の成功は絶対のものだ。
his | success | as for | absolute | thing | is
His success is a certainty.
- 彼の his [彼 (he) + の (possessive particle)]
- 成功 success
- は (topic marker)
- 絶対の absolute [絶対 (absolute) as a noun + の (nominalizing particle)]
- もの thing; matter
- だ is [copula]
2. 必ず - definitely; without fail
Indicates a strong commitment, similar to 絶対 but with a nuance of necessity or inevitability.
Kanji Meaning
必
This character embodies the concept of "inevitability" or "certainty." It carries a connotation of something that must happen or is bound to occur, reinforcing the idea of an unavoidable outcome or a necessity. It is a heart 心 with a slash through it. Think of “cross my heart and hope to die” kind of inevitability.
Usage and Example Sentences
必ず約束を守ります。
Without fail | promise | (direct object marker) | protect
I will definitely keep my promise.
- 必ず definitely; without fail
- 約束 promise
- を (object marker)
- 守ります will keep [守る (to keep; to protect) in polite form]
Common Expressions
- 必ずしも means "not always" or "not necessarily."
高いものが必ずしも良いわけではない。
Expensive | thing | (subject marker) | not always | good | reasoning | not (necessarily the case)
Expensive things are not necessarily good.
- 高い expensive
- もの things
- が (subject marker)
- 必ずしも not necessarily
- 良い good
- わけではない not necessarily the case [わけ (reason; situation) + ではない (is not)]
3. 間違いなく - undoubtedly; without mistake
間違いなく is used to express confidence in the truth or outcome of something, implying that there's no room for error.
Kanji Meaning
間
(かん, けん, ま, あいだ): This kanji has several meanings, including "interval," "space," "between," and "among." It conveys the concept of a gap or a space between two points or elements, reflecting a notion of distance or differentiation.
違
(い, ちが) This kanji means "difference," "discrepancy," "to differ," or "to be wrong." It relates to things that are not the same, that diverge, or are incorrect in comparison to something else.
Combined, 間違い directly translates to a "difference" or "discrepancy" in the context of what is correct or expected, hence leading to the meaning of "mistake" or "error."
Usage and Example Sentence
この問題の答えは間違いなく「B」です。
This | problem | ‘s | answer | as for | without doubt | “B” | is
The answer to this question is undoubtedly "B."
- この this
- 問題の question's [問題 (question) + の (possessive or descriptive particle)]
- 答え answer
- は (topic marker)
- 間違いなく undoubtedly; without mistake
- 「B」です: is "B" [です (is) polite copula]
4. きっと - surely; certainly
きっと expresses a strong belief or hope in something, though it's slightly less forceful than the above terms.
Meaning
The word きっと is a versatile adverb in Japanese, conveying a sense of certainty or strong belief in future events or outcomes. It expresses the speaker's confidence in a prediction, hope, or expectation, often based on intuition or an emotional conviction rather than concrete evidence.
Usage and Nuance
- Expressing Expectation and Optimism: きっと is used to indicate that the speaker believes something will happen or is true, often reflecting optimism or a positive outlook.
- Future Oriented: While it conveys certainty, きっと is more speculative than expressions like 絶対 (absolutely) or 必ず (definitely), which assert a stronger, sometimes more factual certainty. きっと carries a hopeful tone, making it suitable for expressing personal convictions or expectations about the future.
Example Sentence
彼女はきっと成功する。
She | as for | surely | succeed | to do
She will certainly succeed.
Here, きっと conveys a strong belief in the person's potential for success, reflecting confidence in their abilities or efforts without implying absolute certainty.
- 彼女 she; her
- は as for (topic marker particle)
- きっと surely; certainly [more often than not, きっと is used when the speaker hopes and wishes for the outcome rather than based on hard evidence.]
- 成功する to have success; to succeed
5. 確かに - certainly; for sure
確かに is used when the speaker is relatively sure of something but acknowledges the possibility, however slight, of being incorrect.
Meaning and Usage
確かに is used when the speaker is relatively sure of something but acknowledges the possibility, however slight, of being incorrect.
The adverb 確かに is somewhat less emphatic than expressions like 絶対 (absolutely) or 必ず (definitely), indicating a level of confidence in the truth of a statement while sometimes leaving room for a slight possibility of doubt or alternative perspectives.
It is also used to indicate the speaker agrees that someone has a point even if the speaker still disagrees with the overall conclusion.
Usage and Nuance
- Affirmation: 確かに is commonly used to affirm the correctness of a statement or to agree with a proposition or observation made by someone else.
- Acknowledgment: It can also serve to acknowledge a fact or reality, often preceding a concession or contrasting statement introduced by が (but) or けれども (however).
Example Sentences
確かにその通りですが、他にも考慮すべき点があります。
Surely | that way | is | but | other | also | considerations | ought to | points | exists
That is certainly true, but there are other points to consider as well.
- 確かに certainly; for sure
- その通り that way; as you say
- ですが but; however
- 他にも also; besides
- 考慮すべき点 points to consider
- があります there are
確かに彼は才能がある。しかし、努力も必要だ。
Certainly | he | as for | talent | exists | but | effort | also | necessary | is
He is certainly talented. However, effort is also necessary.
- 確かに certainly; for sure
- 彼は he; as for him
- 才能がある is talented
- しかし however
- 努力も effort also
- 必要だ is necessary
6. 恐らく - probably; likely
恐らく introduces a level of speculation, indicating that the speaker believes something to be true but is less certain.
Kanji Meaning
恐
This kanji has a primary meaning of "fear" or "dread." However, when used in the adverb 恐らく, it does not directly convey fear but rather a sense of uncertainty or speculation. The original association with "fear" suggests a cautious approach to making predictions or assumptions, reflecting a mindful awareness of uncertainty.
Usage and Nuance
The adverb 恐らく is used in Japanese to indicate that something is probable or likely to happen. It expresses a sense of speculation or assumption about future events, outcomes, or states based on the speaker's judgment or available information. 恐らく is less certain than expressions like 確かに (certainly) but conveys a higher degree of confidence than possibilities expressed by たぶん (maybe).
- Speculative Tone: 恐らく is often used when the speaker wants to suggest a likely outcome or belief without committing to absolute certainty. It's suitable for making educated guesses or expressing probable outcomes.
- Formality and Context: While conversational, 恐らく can also be used in more formal or written Japanese. It strikes a balance between casual speculation and informed assumption, making it versatile across different contexts.
- Indirectness and Politeness: Reflecting Japanese communication styles, which often favor indirectness and humility, 恐らく allows speakers to convey their thoughts without appearing overly assertive or presumptuous.
Example Sentences
恐らく明日は雨が降るでしょう。
Probably | tomorrow | as for | rain | (subject) | fall | it appears
It will probably rain tomorrow.
- 恐らく probably; likely
- 明日は tomorrow
- 雨が降る rain will fall
- でしょう (expresses probability or expectation
彼は恐らくそのニュースにもう気付いている。
He |as for | perhaps | that | news | in | already | is aware
He is probably already aware of that news.
- 彼は he; as for him
- 恐らく probably; likely
- そのニュースに that news
- もう already
- 気付いている is aware
7. もしかしたら - possibly; if by any chance
もしかしたら further reduces the level of certainty, suggesting something is a possibility but not assured.
Components and Nuance
- もし This part means "if" and is used to introduce conditional statements or hypothetical situations.
- か A particle that can imply a question or uncertainty.
- したら A conditional form that means "if it happens" or "if it is done," derived from the verb する (to do).
Together, もしかしたら literally means "if it happens by chance," but is best translated as "possibly" or "if by any chance." It sets the stage for a statement that is not asserted with confidence but is considered a possibility worth mentioning.
Meaning
The expression もしかしたら is a Japanese adverbial phrase used to indicate a possibility or conjecture about something that might happen in the future. It introduces a speculative statement, suggesting that there is a chance, although uncertain, that the following condition or event will occur. This expression is often used to soften predictions or to introduce a hypothesis with a sense of uncertainty or doubt.
Usage and Context
- Speculation and Softening: もしかしたら is perfect for situations where you want to speculate about something without asserting it strongly. It's a way of softening statements to sound less assertive or presumptuous.
- Formality: This phrase is versatile and can be used in both casual and more formal contexts.
Example Sentences
もしかしたら明日は雨が降るかもしれません。
Perhaps | tomorrow | as for | rain | (subject marker) | fall | might
It might possibly rain tomorrow.
- もしかしたら possibly; if by any chance
- 明日 tomorrow
- は (topic marker particle)
- 雨 rain
- が (subject marker particle)
- 降る to fall (used for rain, snow, etc.)
- かもしれません might; may (expression of uncertainty or possibility)
もしかしたら彼はもう到着しているかもしれない。
Possibly | he | as for | already | arriving | perhaps
Perhaps he may have already arrived.
- もしかしたら possibly; if by any chance
- 彼 he; him
- は (topic marker particle)
- もう already
- 到着 arrival
- している is doing (the -ている form of する, indicating a continuous state or action; here, combined with 到着 to mean "has arrived")
- かもしれない might; may (expression of uncertainty or possibility, less formal than かもしれません)
8. かもしれない - might; may
かもしれない is attached to the end of verbs, adjectives, and nouns to indicate that something might be the case, showing low commitment.
Meaning
The phrase かもしれない is a Japanese expression used to indicate possibility or uncertainty about something. It's often attached to the plain form of verbs, adjectives, and nouns to suggest that something "might" or "may" be the case. This expression is versatile and widely used in both spoken and written Japanese to express conjectures, speculations, or to soften statements by introducing a degree of uncertainty.
Usage and Context
- Expressing Uncertainty: かもしれない adds a layer of uncertainty to a statement, making it useful for situations where the speaker wants to express a possibility without making a definitive assertion.
- Formality: While かもしれない is commonly used in everyday conversation, in more formal contexts, かもしれません is preferred for its polite form.
- Indirectness: Reflecting the cultural preference for indirect communication, かもしれない allows speakers to convey thoughts or information without fully committing to their accuracy, thus maintaining humility and avoiding the imposition of certainty.
Example Sentences
彼は医者になるかもしれない。
He | as for | doctor | become | might
He might become a doctor.
- 彼 he
- は (topic marker)
- 医者 doctor
- になる to become
- かもしれない might; may
明日は雪が降るかもしれない。
Tomorrow | as for | snow | (subject) | fall | perhaps
It might snow tomorrow.
- 明日 tomorrow
- は (topic marker)
- 雪 snow
- が (subject marker)
- 降る to fall (used for rain, snow, etc.)
- かもしれない might; may
9. 多分 - probably; maybe
多分 is often used to express a lower degree of confidence while still agreeing something might be true.
Kanji Meaning
多
This kanji means "many" or "much." It implies a quantity that is more than average or expected, suggesting abundance or a high degree.
分
This kanji has several meanings, including "part," "minute," or "understand." When used in the context of 多分, it contributes to the meaning of proportion or degree, suggesting a part of a whole or an extent of certainty.
Together, the kanji 多分 suggest "a great extent" or "mostly," which aligns with the word's use to indicate probability or likelihood.
Usage and Context
It conveys a sense of uncertainty but with a leaning towards a positive possibility. 多分 is often used to indicate that the speaker believes something to be true to a certain extent but acknowledges that there is room for doubt.
- This may be the most used in this list.
- Expressing Likelihood: 多分 is used when the speaker wants to express that something is probable or likely to happen, based on their judgment or available information.
- Flexibility: It can be used in both casual and formal contexts, making it a versatile choice for expressing uncertainty or speculation.
Example Sentences
多分、彼はもう帰った。
Maybe | he | as for | already | returned
He has probably already gone home.
- 多分 probably; maybe
- 彼 he
- は (topic marker)
- もう already
- 帰った returned; went home
多分、明日は晴れます。
Maybe | tomorrow | as for | sunny
It will probably be clear tomorrow.
- 多分 probably; maybe
- 明日 tomorrow
- は (topic marker)
- 晴れます will be clear; will be sunny
Makoto+ Members, click here to download all the sound files and a printable PDF just for this lesson. Practice makes perfect!
Very helpful. Thank you!
Glad it helped! Thanks for commenting. 🙂