Meaning
でしょう is used to express the speaker's conjecture about something unconfirmed. It has three main uses: (1) with falling intonation, it expresses probability meaning 'probably...'; (2) with rising intonation, it seeks confirmation meaning 'isn't it...?'; (3) in the form でしょうか, it functions as a polite question more courteous than ですか. For na-adjectives and nouns, drop だ before adding でしょう.
Formation
Examples
-
明日は 雨でしょう。
It will probably rain tomorrow. -
山田くんは カラオケが 好きでしょう。
Yamada probably likes karaoke. -
このかばん、高いでしょう。
This bag is expensive, isn't it? -
あなた 朝から 晩まで ずっと 働いて、疲れたでしょう。
You've been working from morning until night, so you must be tired. -
これは あなたの ものでしょう。
This is yours, isn't it? -
A:こちらは お客様の お荷物でしょうか。
This is the customer's luggage, isn't it? -
B:ええ、そうです。
Yes, that's right.
Summary
- Falling intonation: expresses conjecture ('probably...')
- Rising intonation: seeks confirmation ('isn't it...?')
- でしょうか form: polite question, more courteous than ですか