たぶん

たぶん

adverb

probably, maybe

1. probably, perhaps, maybe

Indicates likelihood or probability. Suggests the speaker thinks something is likely but isn't certain.

たぶん明日(あした)は雨(あめ)でしょう。

It will probably rain tomorrow.

たぶん大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)だと思(おも)います。

I think it's probably okay.

たぶん来(こ)ないと思(おも)います。

I think they probably won't come.

「田中(たなか)さんは来(き)ますか。」「たぶん来(く)ると思(おも)いますが、わかりません。」

"Will Tanaka-san come?" "I think they'll probably come, but I'm not sure."

たぶん電車(でんしゃ)が遅(おく)れたのでしょう。いつもは時間(じかん)どおりに来(く)る人(ひと)ですから。

The train was probably delayed. They're usually someone who arrives on time.

たぶん says the speaker thinks something is likely but is not sure. Can be written as 多分(たぶん).

Common patterns

たぶん〜でしょう: probably ~
たぶん〜と思(おも)う: I think probably ~
たぶん〜だろう: probably ~ (casual)

SIMILAR WORDS (certainty, low to high):

もしかしたら: maybe, perhaps (a real possibility, no more)
たぶん: probably (the speaker leans toward yes)
おそらく: probably (more formal than たぶん; common in writing and news)
きっと: surely (strong personal conviction)
絶対(ぜったい)に: definitely, absolutely

Usage

Placed at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb/predicate. Very common in everyday speech.

Writing

多分(たぶん) - the kanji literally means 'much/many portion.'

Related Words

Compare: きっと (surely (~80-90%))

Compare: おそらく (probably (formal))

Related: もしかすると (perhaps (lower probability))

Compare: ひょっと (possibly)

Compare: もしかしたら (maybe, perhaps)

Compare: 絶対(ぜったい)に (definitely, absolutely)

basic

Added 2026.1.7 21:22 · Revised 2026.10.8 9:58

00500/00815_tabun