でしょう？
deshō?
The English phrase 'isn't it?' can be expressed in Japanese as でしょう？ (deshō?)
This phrase is a question tag used to ask for agreement or confirmation regarding a statement. While でしょう can mean 'probably', when used with a rising intonation as a tag, it functions specifically to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener.
Which one should you use?
There are different ways to express this depending on the level of politeness and the specific nuance. For a more casual version used among friends and peers, you can use だよね？ For a formal way to express 'isn't it?', use janai desu ka?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, use janai desu ka? In informal settings, you can use janai? or the even more casual だよね？
How does it change in a sentence?
In a declarative sentence, the question tag is formed by using the polite copula でしょう with a rising intonation.
How do you pronounce it?
deshō?
Did you know?
- The casual tag じゃない? can undergo a functional shift in meaning. While it can mean 'isn't it?', it is frequently used to mean 'Why don't we?' when making a proposal or suggestion.
- The phrase だろう? is the casual counterpart to でしょう?, but using it as a question tag can carry a distinctly masculine or authoritative tone in many social contexts.
- The phrase ではないでしょうか? allows a speaker to express a strong opinion without being confrontational by framing it as a polite, indirect suggestion.
Examples in context
- あの映画、すごく面白かった じゃない？That movie was really interesting, wasn't it?
- もっと早いほうがいいでしょう？Motto hayai hou ga ii deshou?It would be better if it were faster, wouldn't it?
- この映画、面白いでしょう？Kono eiga, omoshiroi deshou?This movie is interesting, isn't it?
- 明日は雨が降るでしょう？Ashita wa ame ga furu deshou?It's going to rain tomorrow, isn't it?
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are looking at a beautiful sunset together.
- 健太 Kentaきれいな夕焼けでしょう？Kirei na yūyake deshō?It's a beautiful sunset, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当にそうですね。Hontō ni sō desu ne.It really is.
- 健太 Kenta明日も晴れるでしょう。Ashita mo hareru deshō.It will probably be sunny tomorrow, too.
- 陽葵 Himariだといいですね。Da to ii desu ne.I hope so.
