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JLPT N3 · Guessing & hearsay

のでしょうか (no deshou ka)

～のでしょうか — “I wonder ～” (polite question)

In short · A polite, softened way to ask a question or wonder about something. It adds a questioning tone to the explanatory のだ. It fits asking for an explanation or advice, or wondering aloud about a reason.
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Pattern

  • 動詞・イ形容詞 普通形＋のでしょうか plain form + のでしょうか (飲めばいいのでしょうか)
  • ナ形容詞・名詞＋なのでしょうか na-adjective or noun + なのでしょうか

Formation and use

It is a softer, more polite version of 〜のですか. It is often used with question words such as どう, いつ and なぜ, as in どうすればいいのでしょうか or いつ飲めばいいのでしょうか. Na-adjectives and nouns take なのでしょうか.

Also for wondering aloud

As in なぜ空はこんなに青いのでしょうか, it can be a question put to oneself without strongly demanding an answer. It is also handy for raising a topic in a speech or text. In casual talk it is close to 〜のかな or 〜んだろう.

Examples

  • こんなとき、どうすればいいのでしょうか。

    Konna toki, dō sureba ii no deshō ka.

    What should I do at a time like this, I wonder?

    Asking for advice politely.

  • この薬（くすり）は、いつ飲（の）めばいいのでしょうか。

    Kono kusuri wa, itsu nomeba ii no deshō ka.

    When should I take this medicine, I wonder?

    Asking a doctor or pharmacist.

  • なぜ空（そら）はこんなに青（あお）いのでしょうか。

    Naze sora wa konna ni aoi no deshō ka.

    I wonder why the sky is so blue.

    A question to oneself, wondering.

Common mistakes

  • Na-adjectives and nouns need な: × 静かのでしょうか, ○ 静かなのでしょうか.
  • It is too polite among friends. In casual talk use 〜のかな or 〜の？.

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