น่าจะ
probably
Native recording
Analyzing pitch…
Pitch graph is unavailable
- 1 probably、likely、should [reasonable expectation]
- 2 should、had better、should have
Expresses that something seems likely based on the available information, or gently suggests that an action would be advisable.
probably、likely、should [reasonable expectation]
Marks something as likely or reasonably expected based on the speaker's knowledge or the situation.
-
พรุ่งนี้ฝนน่าจะตก phrûŋníi fǒn nâa cà tòk It will probably rain tomorrow. พรุ่งนี้ฝนน่าจะตก details
-
เขาน่าจะถึงแล้ว khǎw nâa cà thʉ̌ŋ lɛ́ɛw He should have arrived by now. เขาน่าจะถึงแล้ว details
Show more (1)
-
เขาไม่น่าจะมา khǎw mây nâa cà maa He probably won't come. เขาไม่น่าจะมา details
should、had better、should have
Gently presents an action as a good idea; in a past context, it can also indicate what would have been better to do.
-
คุณน่าจะพักหน่อย khun nâa cà phák nɔ̀ɔy You should get some rest. คุณน่าจะพักหน่อย details
Show more (2)
-
น่าจะลองดูนะ nâa cà lɔɔŋ duu ná You should give it a try. น่าจะลองดูนะ details
-
น่าจะบอกฉันก่อน nâa cà bɔ̀ɔk chǎn kɔ̀ɔn You should have told me first. น่าจะบอกฉันก่อน details
Learning notes
Explanation
น่าจะ is historically transparent as น่า plus จะ, but learners will usually find it more helpful to treat the whole expression as a single unit. Its primary use is inference. In the pattern “subject + น่าจะ + verb or state,” it presents something as probable based on what the speaker knows or observes. With แล้ว, it can express a reasonable expectation that something has already happened. Before an action someone can take, it may be understood as gentle advice: “you should probably...” In a clearly past context, the same form can convey regret or mild criticism about what should have been done.
Usage
It is common when predicting the weather, schedules, someone's location, whether a place is open, or any other situation where the speaker draws a likely conclusion from available information. It is also used for gentle advice and, in a past context, for saying what would have been better to do. It sounds natural in both everyday conversation and general writing.
Caution
น่าจะ does not express certainty; it should not be used to mean “definitely” or “without a doubt.” ไม่น่าจะ + verb usually means that something is unlikely or probably will not happen. น่าจะไม่ + verb can also mean “probably not,” with slightly more focus on negating the following statement. Context determines whether น่าจะ is a prediction or advice. For a clear duty or firmer recommendation, ควร or ควรจะ is usually more appropriate.
Differences from similar words
1 probably synonyms
-
คงจะ also means “probably” and often conveys the speaker's expectation. น่าจะ commonly presents something as a likely conclusion drawn from the available evidence or circumstances.
-
อาจจะ means “may” or “might” and merely leaves something open as a possibility. น่าจะ generally indicates a stronger expectation: the speaker thinks it is probably true or likely to happen.
2 should synonyms
-
ควรจะ gives clearer advice or states what is proper, appropriate, or expected. น่าจะ is usually softer, presenting the action as something that seems like a good idea rather than as a firm obligation.