Japanese word

多分

Pronunciation

Romajitabun

Meaning

  • adverbprobably, maybe

Example

多分、明日は晴れます。ta bun asu wa ha re ma su

It will probably be sunny tomorrow.

Illustration for 多分 (probably)

More examples

多分、今日は雨です。ta bun kyō wa ame de su

Maybe it will rain today.

彼は多分もう家に帰りました。kare wa ta bun mō ie ni kae ri ma shi ta

He has probably already gone home.

Core concept

Presents one outcome as more likely than other possible outcomes.

Common phrases

  • 多分そうta bun sō

    probably so

  • 多分大丈夫ta bun dai jō bu

    probably okay

  • 多分無理ta bun mu ri

    probably impossible

Similar words

きっとkitto: Shows strong belief that an event will happen or that a statement is true.
おそらくosoraku: Presents an outcome as likely according to a reasoned guess.
もしかするとmoshikasuruto: Presents an event as possible without showing much confidence.

Definition in Japanese

ある事柄について、そうなる見込みが大きいと判断して述べるさま。a ru koto gara ni tsu i te sō na ru mi ko mi ga ō ki i to han dan shi te no be ru sa ma

Word origin

多分 (tabun, "probably") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 多 (ta, "many") and 分 (bun, "part" or "share"), expressing a large share and hence a high likelihood.

Usage tips

  • English learners can link 多分 (tabun) with probably rather than maybe because it normally suggests a higher degree of likelihood.

Word lists with this word