How to Say "Perhaps" in Japanese

たぶん

tabun

The Japanese phrase for perhaps is たぶん (tabun).

たぶん is used to mean probably or perhaps. It is typically placed at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb it modifies.

Which one should you use?

While たぶん implies a degree of probability around 70-80%, it is more certain than the expression かもしれない, which translates to maybe or might.

In polite speech, たぶん is often paired with the sentence-ending particle でしょう to express probability.

tabun

If a speaker says たぶん but ends the sentence with a very certain tone or a strong assertion, the meaning can shift to a sarcastic 'obviously'.
In some contexts, using たぶん to answer a question can act as a polite way to say 'no' without actually using the word 'no'.
In highly formal business correspondence, you will almost never see たぶん used. Instead, professionals use おそらく (osoraku), which carries a much more sophisticated and polished nuance.

彼はたぶん有名にならない。
Perhaps he'll never become famous.
This is useful for expressing a negative prediction about someone's fame using たぶん.
Tatoeba #448784 by bunbuku, translation #448785 by CK
たぶんトムはメアリーと一緒にオーストラリアに行った。
Perhaps Tom went to Australia with Mary.
This demonstrates using たぶん to express a possibility regarding someone's past travels.
Tatoeba #13428292 by demiurgastel, translation #7184541 by CK
たぶん、それが答えだよ。
Perhaps that's the answer.
This shows how to use たぶん to suggest a potential answer.
Tatoeba #10247006 by h_aibe, translation #4495630 by CK
あしたはたぶん雨が降るでしょう。
Perhaps it will rain tomorrow.
もしかして、あしたは会えるかもしれない。
Perhaps we can meet tomorrow.
お忙しいかもしれません。タクシーを呼んでもいいですか？
You might be busy. May I call a taxi?

Two friends are talking about whether it will rain today.

美咲 Misaki

午後はたぶん雨が降るよ。
Gogo wa tabun ame ga furu yo.
It will perhaps rain this afternoon.
蓮 Ren

本当かな？
Hontou kana?
I wonder if that's true.
美咲 Misaki

空が暗いから、たぶんね。
Sora ga kurai kara, tabun ne.
Because the sky is dark, perhaps.
蓮 Ren

傘を持っていこう。
Kasa o motte ikou.
Let's take an umbrella.

Sources

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