Daijoubu! If you’ve ever watched a Japanese drama, anime, or even chatted with a Japanese friend, you’ve probably heard this expression countless times. 大丈夫 (daijoubu) is similar to the words “I’m fine,” “No worries,” “It’s okay,” or even “Don’t bother!” But here’s the catch: its versatility can make it tricky for learners to use naturally
In this guide, we’ll break down the many ways 大丈夫 (daijoubu) shows up in everyday Japanese life, with real examples you can start using right away. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to say it, how to say it, and maybe even impress a few friends along the way.
Watch a Video Breakdown of Daijoubu
Before diving into the details of Daijoubu, watch our YouTube for a quick review of daijoubu, its meaning, and how to use it:
Meaning of Daijoubu
The literal translations can mean strong or safe and sound, but the closest English equivalents may be “I’m okay” or “I’m alright”. But the literal translations can mean strong or safe and sound. Thus, it’s often said as a way of reassuring someone that you are fine.
In everyday conversation, 大丈夫 (daijoubu) generally means “okay” or “all right.” It’s a handy word to use when reassuring someone that you’re fine, unharmed, or uninjured. In these situations, you can politely say 大丈夫です (daijoubu desu) to mean “I’m okay.”
Etymology of Daijoubu
As previously mentioned, 大丈夫 (daijoubu) means “okay” or “alright.” To break apart, this phrase derives from the word 大 (dai), which means big, and 丈夫 (jobu), which describes something sturdy, resilient, and durable. To break apart the word 丈夫 (jobu) even more, 丈 is stature, and 夫 is man or husband. Combined with all these literal meanings, it meant big, strong man! It was thought that the phrase was used to refer to a strong man who traditionally provides safety and stability, and it slowly evolved into the phrase we use almost every day!
Over time, the phrase changed in meaning, and people began using it as a blanket term for being in good health, being unharmed, and things being okay.
Daijoubu As Both Positive and Negative
At first glance, 大丈夫 (daijoubu) might seem like a purely positive word, similar to “it’s okay” or “I’m fine.” Indeed, in many situations, it’s used to reassure someone that you’re okay, unharmed, or that a plan is acceptable.
However, as versatile as it is, daijoubu can also be used to express a polite refusal. This stems from the Japanese cultural tendency toward indirect communication, influenced by the concepts of honne (true feelings) and tataemae (public behavior). In Japan, saying “no” directly is often considered rude, so people frequently use daijoubu as a gentle way to decline something.
For example, if someone offers you food or help, you can respond with, “大丈夫です、ありがとうございます (Daijoubu desu, arigatou gozaimasu),” which literally means “I’m okay, thank you,” but it’s understood as a polite way to say “No thanks, I’m good.”
So, depending on the context, daijoubu can either affirm that everything is fine (positive) or politely turn down an offer or request (negative). Understanding this nuance is key to using daijoubu naturally in Japanese conversation.
13 Ways to Use Daijoubu
Daijoubu has a wide variety of uses where the implied meaning somewhat varies based on the circumstance and context. Daijoubu can be used in both formal and informal settings, as a question, or as a positive/negative. So, we listed the ways you can use daijoubu based on different situations, in order to let you understand the different nuances and how it changes.
1. Using Daijoubu to Say “I’m Okay” (When Hurt or Injured)
Say you slipped and fell, or just hurt yourself slightly, causing concern from bystanders. They might come to help you up or may even ask:
大丈夫ですか？
Daijoubu desuka?
Are you okay
If it’s nothing too serious and you don’t want them to worry, you can exclaim or respond with, 大丈夫です(daijoubu desu). In this situation, it is basically just saying, “I’m okay” or “I’m alright” in order to reassure the listener that they don’t need to worry about you.
Bystander:
お体にケガはありませんか？
Okarada ni kega wa arimasenka
Are you hurt somewhere?
You:
大丈夫です。
Daijoubu desu.
I’m okay!
2. Using Daijoubu to Reassure Someone
Sometimes people apologize or worry unnecessarily. Maybe they accidentally bumped into you in a crowded space or made a small mistake. You can use 大丈夫 (daijoubu) to ease their worries and let them know it’s no problem.
Stanger:
すみません!
Sumimasen!
Sorry!
You
大丈夫ですよ
Daijoubu desu yo
It is fine!
3. Using Daijoubu to Confirm Something
大丈夫 (daijoubu) can also be used to confirm that something is acceptable or okay. For example, if someone asks whether it’s right to do something or if a plan is okay, responding with daijoubu indicates approval or agreement. It’s like saying “That’s fine” or “No problem” in English.
When confirming reservations, appointments, or just plans with friends, you can say daijoubu to say something like “that works for me”.
Friend:
月曜日は大丈夫ですか？
Getsuyoubi wa daijobu desu ka?
Is Monday okay?
You:
大丈夫です。
Daijoubu desu.
Yes, it’s okay!
Read this blog for a more detailed breakdown of days, months, and years in Japanese.
4. Saying Daijoubu for Scheduling and Timing
大丈夫 (daijoubu) can be used to show that a proposed time or schedule works for you. For instance, if someone asks whether a meeting or appointment time is okay, replying with daijoubu lets them know the timing is fine and there’s no problem. It’s a casual yet polite way to confirm plans without any fuss.
You can also use daijoubu to specify a particular time or a range of times that work for you, whether it’s a formal event like a meeting or a casual activity like hanging out:
私は18時から20時くらいまでなら大丈夫です。
Watashi wa jyuu hachi ji kara ni jyuu kurai made nara daijoubu desu.
Any time from 6 – 8 pm is okay for me!
Want to know how to schedule in Japanese? Read our article on how to tell time in Japanese.
5. Using Daijoubu to Confirm or Double-Check
Daijoubu can also be used to ask for confirmation or to double-check and see if something is truly okay or acceptable.
このサイズで大丈夫でしょうか。
Kono saizu de daijoubu deshou ka?
Is this size okay?
天気は大丈夫だった？
Tenki wa daijoubu datta?
Was the weather okay?
6. Using Daijoubu to Ask about Someone’s Health or Well-being
You can also use daijoubu to check on someone’s health or well-being and see if they are doing okay. It is quite common to use daijoubu as a question when someone is not feeling well or if something has happened to them. Additionally, you can use daijoubu to ask about the safety of something or someone.
もう大丈夫ですか？
Mou daijoubu desu ka?
Are you alright now?
気分は大丈夫ですか?
Kibun wa daijoubu desu ka?
Are you feeling okay?
7. Using Daijoubu to Ask if Something is Safe or Okay to Use
Daijoubu doesn’t need to be used only with people. You can also use it to ask about the safety of something, whether it’s safe to consume or use. You might want to know if your friend’s 50-year-old car is safe to drive or if a questionable food item is safe to consume.
この水は大丈夫かね。
Kono mizu wa daijoubu ka ne?
Is this water safe to drink?
8. Using Daijoubu to Ask Permission
大丈夫 (daijoubu) can also be used to mean “Is it okay if…?” when you want to check whether an action is acceptable or permissible. If you’re unsure whether what you’re doing might be appropriate, it’s very common to use daijoubu in this context to politely ask for confirmation.
これらのファイルを消しても大丈夫ですか？
Korera no fairu o keshite mo daijoubu desu ka?
Is it okay to delete these files?
9. Using Daijoubu to Express Certainty
Depending on your tone and the specific situation, you can use daijoubu as a way of expressing certainty. It is similar to saying something like “definitely” or “for sure”. You can sort of translate it more loosely to “don’t worry, it will be okay”.
大丈、彼は来ますよ。
Daijobu, kare wa kimasu yo
He will come, you can count on it.
10. Using Daijoubu to Express Levels of Uncertainty
You can also use daijoubu to express different levels of certainty by adding other words like 多分 (tabun), which means “maybe” or “perhaps”. So, even if you’re not completely sure, you can still use daijoubu to imply that nuance of uncertainty.
たぶん大丈夫だ
Tabun daijobu da.
It should be alright.
このようにして大丈夫だと思います。
Kono you ni shite daijoubu da to omoimasu.
I think it’s okay to do it this way.
11. Using Daijoubu to Make a Promise
When you really want to reassure someone, daijoubu can be used with stronger words, basically like making a promise or giving your word that you can be depended on.
大丈夫請け合います。
Daijoubu uke aimasu.
Don’t worry, I guarantee it will be okay.
12. Using Daijoubu to Show Personal Preference
Sometimes daijoubu simply means “It’s fine with me” or “I’m okay with it.” Whenever you want to emphasize that it is personally okay with you, you can say something like the following:
私は大丈夫です。
Watashi wa daijoubu desu.
I’m okay with it.
送ってくれなくて大丈夫です。
Okutte kurenakute daijoubu desu.
There’s no need to send it.
13. Daijoubu to Decline Something
Similar to the term’s closest English equivalent, it’s okay (or I’m okay), it can be understood as either a negative or positive affirmation. We may have already gone over a couple of instances when daijoubu can be used as a negative, but let’s go into the differences between positive and negative uses:
ご飯をたべますか？
Gohan wo tabemasuka?
Will you eat?
大丈夫です。
Daijoubu desu
No thanks!
Phrases Similar To Daijoubu
So, we’ve established that daijoubu is a very versatile phrase that you can use in so many different situations. However, there are some other very useful phrases commonly used in Japanese that convey pretty similar meanings. So, we will go through a short, very non-exhaustive list of some alternative phrases to daijoubu.
1. 元気です: Genki Desu
This is probably one of the first phrases you learnt when you started studying Japanese. 元気です(genki desu) translates roughly to I’m fine or healthy. The phrase is also pretty versatile. You can use it to ask if someone is okay or to describe someone who seems healthy or energetic. You might often hear it in the context of describing small kids who are a little too hyperactive.
元気ですか。
Genki desu ka?
Are you okay?
2. 問題ない: Mondai nai
問題ない(mondai nai) is another common expression you can use to say or ask if something “is okay”. It translates directly to “no problem” with 問題 (mondai) meaning “problem” and ない (nai) meaning “to not have”, since it is the negative form of ある(aru). Together, it literally translates to “not have a problem”. You can basically use it in the same way as its English equivalent.
それで問題ないですか
Sore de mondai nai desu ka?
Is that okay?
3. 安全です: Anzen Desu
安全 (anzen) translates to “safe” so you can use this expression to say or as if something is “safe”. It is quite common to use this phrase to describe places or things as safe or not dangerous. When using it to describe a person, you are expressing that they are safe from harm or out of danger.ここは安全ですか。
- Koko wa anzen desu ka?
- Is this place safe?
4. 結構です: Kekkou Desu
結構 (kekkou) literally means “enough.” In the phrase 結構です (kekkou desu), it’s commonly used to politely decline an offer, basically, a gentle “No, thank you.” But here’s the twist: depending on the context, 結構 (kekkou) can also mean “wonderful” or “great.” So, the meaning really depends on how it’s used!
This is one of many Japanese words with multiple meanings. So, to use it as an alternative for daijoubu, you can use it as a way of rejecting someone’s kind offer.
もう結構です。
Mou kekkou desu.
That’s enough for now/no, thanks.
5. 平気です: Heiki Desu
平気です (heiki desu) can be translated into English as “I’m fine” or “I don’t mind.” It’s slightly casual, often used when you want to show you’re unaffected and that the listener doesn’t need to worry about you.
一人で行っても平気です。
Hitori de itte mo heiki desu。
It’s fine if I go alone.
You Will be Okay! Final Remarks On Daijoubu
大丈夫 (daijoubu) is one of the most useful phrases you can learn in Japanese because it’s so versatile. Depending on the context, simply saying 大丈夫 will usually be enough for people to understand whether you mean “I’m okay,” “It’s fine,” or even a polite refusal. Just like in English, where “I’m okay” or “It’s okay” can be interpreted differently depending on the situation, daijoubu works the same way in Japanese.
Of course, learning Japanese isn’t just about mastering daijoubu! To get real practice with useful, everyday phrases like 大丈夫, consider taking classes at Coto Academy.
Our professional teachers can tailor lessons to your needs, help you speak natural, native Japanese, and provide structured guidance to help you reach your language goals. We offer both full-time intensive courses and more flexible part-time options, so you can learn at your own pace.
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FAQ
How is "daijobu" used?
Daijobu can be used in a variety of situations:
Giving permission: “Hai, daijobu desu.” (Yes, that’s okay.)
Checking on someone: “Daijobu desu ka?” (Are you okay?)
Reassuring someone: “Daijobu, dekimasu.” (It’s okay, I can do it.)
Expressing relief: “Ah, daijobu da.” (Ah, that’s a relief.)
Politely declining: “Iie, daijobu desu.” (No, thank you, I’m okay.)
Is daijoubu a formal or informal phrase?
The word daijoubu is informal, but you can add desu, in the end, to make it “dajoubudesu” to make the word formal.
Is it daijoubu or daijobu?
The correct spelling is “daijobu” (大丈夫). This phrase means “okay” or “alright” in Japanese, commonly used to ask if someone is fine or to reassure someone that everything is fine. “Daijoubu” with the extra “u” is the standard form in most cases.
What is the difference between daijoubu and genki?
Daijoubu means “I’m fine” or “I’m okay”, reassuring someone that you are okay. But genki usually just means “I’m healthy” or “I’m energetic,” so the nuance is a bit different. Usually, you would say genki desu in the context of someone doing small talk when they ask “how are you?” and you respond “I’m good” or 元気です！(genki desu).
What are some cultural nuances to consider when using “daijobu”?
Some nuances to consider, especially about Japanese culture, are that it is used as a way of avoiding conflict. Japanese culture values harmony and avoiding direct conflict or confrontation. Daijobu can be used to maintain this harmony, even if you’re not entirely okay with it. The phrase can be considered to be a form of indirect communication, another key aspect of Japanese culture. Daijobu can be used to avoid confrontation or even negative emotions.
Want to know more about some commonly used phrases in Japan? Read these blogs below:
- Saying Goodnight in Japanese: Oyasumi (おやすみ)
- Omoshiroi in Japanese
- How to Use Ganbare, Ganbatte, Ganbarimasu in Japanese: Give It Your Best!
- Basic Japanese Phrases You Should Know Before Coming to Japan