Using 〜に違いない to Express Certainty in Japanese
In Japanese, expressing certainty or strong assumptions is essential for clear communication. One useful expression for this is 〜に違いない. This grammar structure conveys a high level of confidence about something, often based on reasoning or evidence.
What Does 〜に違いない Mean?
〜に違いない translates to “must be,” “surely,” or “there’s no doubt that” in English. It’s used when you are almost certain about something, even without direct confirmation. This expression is often employed in both written and spoken Japanese to convey strong convictions or logical conclusions.
How to Use 〜に違いない
The structure of 〜に違いない is as follows:
✅【Noun】【Na-adjective】【I-adjective】 + に違いない
✅【Verb (plain form)】 + に違いない
Examples:
- Noun
彼は犯人に違いない。
He must be the culprit.
- Na-adjective
彼女は元気に違いない。
She must be fine.
- I-adjective
この問題は難しいに違いない。
This problem must be difficult.
- Verb
彼はもう家に帰ったに違いない。
He must have already gone home.
More Example Sentences
Nouns
- この料理を作った人はプロに違いない。
The person who made this dish must be a professional. - 彼は毎朝ジョギングをしている。健康に違いない。
He goes jogging every morning. He must be healthy.
I-Adjectives
- このケーキは甘いに違いない。
This cake must be sweet. - この映画は面白いに違いない。予告編を見ただけでワクワクする。
This movie must be interesting. Just watching the trailer makes me excited.
Na-Adjectives
- この部屋は静かだ。集中できるに違いない。
This room is quiet. I’m sure I can concentrate. - レビューで評判がいいから、このホテルは快適に違いない。。
As it has good reviews, this hotel must be comfortable.
Verbs (plain forms)
- 電車が遅れている。駅でたくさんの人が待っているに違いない。
The train is delayed. Surely many people are waiting at the station. - 空が暗くなってきた。雨が降るに違いない。
The sky is getting dark. It’s surely going to rain.
Summary
- 〜に違いない expresses strong certainty or a confident assumption.
- It can follow verbs, i-adjectives, na-adjectives, and nouns.
- Often used when making logical conclusions based on observation or context.
- Stronger than 〜そうだ or 〜らしい, which are based on appearances or hearsay.
By incorporating 〜に違いない into your Japanese, you can express your thoughts with greater confidence and nuance.
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