Meaning of 多分(たぶん) in Japanese

Japanese word definition and usage

Reading and JLPT level 多分 JLPT 5

Kana Reading たぶん

Romaji tabun

Parts of speech

adverb (fukushi), noun (common) (futsuumeishi)

Meaning

perhaps; probably
Parts of speech

adjectival nouns or quasi-adjectives (keiyodoshi), nouns which may take the genitive case particle `no`

Meaning

generous; many; much; great

Example Sentences

多分, たぶん used in context

手伝い(てつだう)たいけど、多分(たぶん)足手まとい(あしてまとい)になるよね。

I'd like to help, but I think I'd just get in your way.
「ああ、これが愚息(ぐそく)のタカシね」「え、は・はい。〈故(ふる)〉タカシ君(きみ)ですね！」「フーちゃんまだ死んでない(しぬ)よ！たぶん」

Ah, this is my idiot son Takashi "Eh-er, yes. (The late) Takashi, right?" "Fuusy, he isn't dead yet! Probably."
彼(あれ)は、たぶん、招待(しょうたい)して(する)くれるように仕向けている(しむける)でしょう。

He is probably angling for an invitation.
高度(こうど)に専門的な(せんもんてき)話題(わだい)で、多分(たぶん)に誤った情報(じょうほう)が含まれる可能性(かのうせい)があることはあらかじめお断り(おことわり)しておきます。

Because this is such a highly technical subject, I would like to point out in advance the likelihood that some of what I'm about to say may include information that is incorrect.
フロントローラーのスラスト角(かく)は２度、多分(たぶん)レース時(とき)にはもう少し(もうすこし)角(かく)度を強める(つよめる)予定(よてい)です。

The front-roller thrust angle is 2 degrees, probably there were plans to strengthen that angle a little when racing.
ああ、多分(たぶん)この県道(けんどう)まっすぐで・・・。

Ah, I reckon you go straight down this prefectural road ...

Related Study Lists

Study lists that include this entry

Related Kanji

Kanji found in this word

多 JLPT 5

many, frequent, much

On: タ

Kun: おお.い, まさ.に, まさ.る

6 strokes

Learn more

分 JLPT 5

part, minute of time, segment, share, degree, one's lot, duty, understand, know, rate, 1%, chances, shaku/100

On: ブン, フン, ブ

Kun: わ.ける, わ.け, わ.かれる, わ.かる, わ.かつ

4 strokes

Learn more

Go beyond looking it up

Turn every word you look up into a word you actually know

You found the word. Now make it stick. Nihongo Master connects the dictionary directly to your personal study system so one click is all it takes.

Save to personal study lists
Drill with spaced repetition until it sticks
Print handwriting practice sheets
Test yourself with skill quizzes
Track progress across every word you study

Start Free 7-Day Trial

No credit card required. Cancel anytime.

Earn with Nihongo Master

Love Japanese? Share it and get paid.

Join the Nihongo Master affiliate program. Share your link and earn 30% on every payment your referrals make, for as long as they stay subscribed.

30% lifetime recurring commission
60-day referral cookie
No approval needed — start right away
Monthly payouts via PayPal

Learn More About the Program