恐らく

おそらく

Perhaps, probably, likely

N3adverb·osoraku

How to remember it

Shares the 恐 (fear) root — you 'fear' it's likely, hence 'probably'.

Example sentences

  • 彼は恐らく来ないだろう。

    かれはおそらくこないだろう。

    He probably won't come.

  • 恐らく明日は雨になるでしょう。

    おそらくあしたはあめになるでしょう。

    It will probably rain tomorrow.

Usage

Formal/written register; implies a reasoned guess, stronger than 多分.

Related words

多分きっと恐ろしいたぶん

Learn this word — and remember it

Add 恐らくto your flashcards and yomion’s spaced-repetition engine will schedule it so you never forget. Practice typing it, hear it spoken, and see it in more sentences.