鯨が今世紀の終わりに死に絶える可能性は五分五分である。

Sentence Analyzer

English Translation

As likely as not, whales will be extinct by the end of this century.

Furigana

鯨(くじら)が今世紀(こんせいき)の終(お)わりに死(し)に絶(た)える可能性(かのうせい)は五分五分(ごぶごぶ)である。

Romanji

Kujira ga konseiki no owari ni shinitaeru kanōsei wa gobugobu de aru.

Words

鯨 (くじら、クジラ)

whale (Cetacea spp.)

が (が)

indicates sentence subject (occasionally object); indicates possessive (esp. in literary expressions); but; however; still; and

今世紀 (こんせいき)

this century

の (の)

indicates possessive; nominalizes verbs and adjectives; substitutes for "ga" in subordinate phrases; (at sentence-end, falling tone) indicates a confident conclusion; (at sentence-end) indicates emotional emphasis; (at sentence-end, rising tone) indicates question

終わる (おわる)

to finish; to end; to close

に (に)

at (place, time); in; on; during; to (direction, state); toward; into; for (purpose); because of (reason); for; with; by; from; as (i.e. in the role of); per; in; for; a (e.g. "once a month"); and; in addition to; if; although

死に絶える (しにたえる)

to die out; to become extinct

可能性 (かのうせい)

potentiality; likelihood; possibility; availability

は (は)

topic marker particle; indicates contrast with another option (stated or unstated); adds emphasis

五分五分 (ごぶごぶ)

as likely as not; 50-50; even match; tie

だ (だ)

be; is; indicates past or completed action; indicates light imperative

或 (ある)

a certain ...; some ...