“Maybe” in Japanese is “tabun”. Japanese people like using this word, so you will hear it very often when you talk with them.
“Tabun” can be used alone, or you can use it in a sentence.
We often say “tabun” in sentences that end with “daroo”, “deshoo” or “to omou (omoimasu)”.
- だろう (daroo) – will (be), could (be): casual form
- でしょう (deshoo) – will (be), could (be): polite form
- 思う（おもう omou） – I think: casual form
- 思います（おもいます omoimasu）- I think: polite form
These words are placed at the end of sentences, indicating “I guess”, “I assume” or “I think”.
たぶん、明日は雨だろう。
Tabun, ashita wa ame daroo.
It may rain tomorrow.
たぶん、明日は雨でしょう。
Tabun, ashita wa ame deshoo.
It may rain tomorrow.
たぶん、明日は雨だと思う。
Tabun, ashita wa ame dato omou.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
たぶん、明日は雨だと思います。
Tabun, ashita wa ame dato omoimasu.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
Also, you can use “kamo shirenai” to tell you are guessing or your opinions.
明日は雨かもしれない。
Ashita wa ame kamo shirenai
It may rain tomorrow.
明日は雨かもしれません。
Ashita wa ame kamo shiremasen.
It may rain tomorrow.
“Kamo shirenai (shiremasen)” should be placed at the end of sentences. “Tabun” is often said alone while “kamo shirenai (shiremasen) tends to appear in sentences.
明日は雨だと思う?
Asita wa ame dato omou?Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
たぶん。
Tabun.Maybe.
明日は雨だと思う?
Ashita wa ame dato omou?Do you think it will rain tomorrow?
そうかもしれません。
Soo kamo shiremasen.It could be.
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