The section 32 introduces two major expressions to say speculation. In addition, yesterday’s expressions [V-ta] Hou ga Ii, and [V-nai] Hou ga Ii are also regarded as an expression for speculation because it is a way for the speaker to tell what he/she thinks is better.
Today’s expression for speculation uses “-deshou.” This “-deshou.” has already been introduced in A4 S21. There, “-deshou?” is an expression to make a confirmation with ascending intonation. Today’s “-deshou.” is spoken with descending intonation.
[V-dic] + deshou
1. Ashita wa Fujisan ga Mieru deshou. (I guess that we will be able to see Mountain Fuji tomorrow.)
As to the verb “Mieru/Miemasu”, refer to A3 S27.
[V-nai] + deshou.
2. Ashita wa Ame wa Furanai deshou. (I guess that it will not be rainy tomorrow.)
“wa” is used twice in this sentence. Note the difference from the sentence 1.
<sentence 1> [Topic] wa [Subject] ga [ Positive ] deshou.
<sentence 2> [Topic] wa [Subject] wa [Negative] deshou.
One of ways to choose “wa ” or “ga” is as follows;
[Known subject] wa [Important Information].
[Important Information] ga [Known predicate].
A negative information is usually important. If the predicate is negative, “wa” is often used for subject marker.
[I-adjective] + deshou.
3. Ashita wa Atsui deshou. (I guess that it will be hot tomorrow.)
[Na-adjective] + deshou.
4. Ashita wa Yuki-geshiki ga Kirei deshou. (I guess that snow landscape will be beautiful tomorrow.)
Yuki-geshiki is a compound word formed from Yuki (snow) and Keshiki(view, scenery). And be careful about “Kirei” which is not an I-adjective but a Na-adjective.
[Noun] + deshou.
5. Ashita wa Hare deshou. (I guess that tomorrow is a fine day.)
Note that “Hare” is a noun. For some verbs, Masu-form without “masu” can be a noun. In this case, the noun “Hare” comes from the verb “Hareru/Haremasu” whose “Masu-form without masu” is “Hare”. Likewise, “Kumori” is a noun that comes from “Masu-form without masu” of the verb “Kumoru/Kumorimasu”.
6. Ashita wa Kumori deshou. ; Kumori is a noun.
6’. Ashita wa Kumoru deshou. ; Kumoru is a verb.
Today’s “-deshou.” is broadly used for speculations. We will learn tomorrow another expression for speculation, which is “-kamo Shiremasen.” In comparison with “-kamo Shiremasen.”, “-deshou.” has slightly higher level of confidence and/or certainty than “-kamo Shiremasen.”
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section32 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
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