おそらく
osoraku
perhaps; likely; probably
Formation 接続
Full formation notes
おそらく + clause（だろう）
Notation: N = noun; V dictionary = dictionary-form verb; V stem = the stem before ます; plain clause = plain-form clause; negative stem = the form before ない. Follow the attachment shown above.
Explanation 説明
A reasonably grounded but uncertain prediction, often paired with だろう or と思う.
Examples 例文
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おそらく、会議は予定どおり始まるだろう。
Most likely, the meeting will start as scheduled.
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おそらく、試験は予定どおり始まるだろう。
Most likely, the exam will start as scheduled.
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おそらく、研修は予定どおり始まるだろう。
Most likely, the training session will start as scheduled.
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おそらく、発表会は予定どおり始まるだろう。
Most likely, the presentation event will start as scheduled.
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おそらく、面接は予定どおり始まるだろう。
Most likely, the interview will start as scheduled.
How related patterns differ 比較
に違いない expresses a confident inference; に決まっている conveys strong personal certainty. どうやら suggests a judgment from signs, while おそらく expresses likelihood. まさか signals disbelief or surprise and does not make every sentence negative by itself.
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| おそらく | perhaps; likely; probably | おそらく、会議は予定どおり始まるだろう。 Most likely, the meeting will start as scheduled. |
| ～まさか | Surely not; never expected; it cannot be that | まさかこんな所で会うとは思いませんでした。 I never expected to meet you in a place like this. |
| ～どうやら | Apparently; it seems | どうやら、会議は中止になったようだ。 Apparently, the meeting has been canceled. |
| ～に違いない | Must be; surely; there is no doubt that | ジェシカさんは日本に１０年も住んでいたから、日本語が上手に話せるに違いない。 Jessica lived in Japan for ten whole years, so she must speak Japanese well. |
| ～たしか | If I remember correctly | たしか、会議は十時からだった。 If I remember correctly, the meeting was due to start at ten. |
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