多分

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 多分 is read as たぶん and is an adverb meaning probably or perhaps, indicating likelihood without certainty.
• Basic usage: It can qualify a guess that someone has not arrived yet or a prediction about the next day's weather.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A guess, not a fact
  • 多分 marks the following negative judgment as the speaker's inference rather than a confirmed fact. Example: 多分、彼はまだ駅に着いていない。
• With a prediction
  • The pattern 多分〜だろう combines it with a predictive expression to present a likely outlook. Example: 明日の午後は多分晴れるだろう。