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Sentence Structure

In this guide to Basic Japanese Grammar, we will explain in broad terms, the most used Japanese sentence patterns and how to alter them to change them from positive statements to negative statements, as well as how to ask questions while using them. We will continue this series with part II – Grammar Particles

Basic Japanese Sentence Patterns

In broad terms, Japanese sentences can be divided into the following three patterns.

Watashi wa Nihon-jin desu. I am a Japanese person. [Noun Phrase]
私は日本人です。
Meari-san wa isogashii desu. Mary-san is busy. [Adjective phrase]
メアリーさんは忙しいです。
Tanaka-san wa ramen o tabemasu. Tanaka-san eats ramen. [Verb Phrase]
田中さんはラメンを食べます。

“Desu” has a similar function to “to be” in English, and comes at the end of Noun and Adjective Phrases. Verb Phrases end with [-masu].
“Wa” is a particle that denotes topics and subjects. (The particles “ga” and “mo” can also indicate a subject.

Negative Sentences

Negative Sentences are made by modifying the end of a predicate, which is typically the last part of a sentence. This grammatical structure is the reason that one must listen to the very end of a Japanese sentence to know whether it is negative or affirmative.

Watashi wa Nihon-jin jya-arimasen. I am not a Japanese person. [Neg. Noun Phrase]
私は日本人じゃありません.
Meari-San wa isogashiku nai desu. Mary-San is not busy. [Negative Adjective Phrase]
メアリーさんは忙しくないです.
Tanaka-San wa ramen o tabemasen. Tanaka-San does not eat ramen. [Neg. Verb Phrase]
田中さんはラーメンを食べません.

Interrogative Sentences (Questions)

Attach “ka” to the end of a Declarative Sentence to create an Interrogative Sentence.

Meari-san wa isogashii desu ka. Is Mary san busy?
メアリーさんは忙しいですか？
Tanaka-san wa ramen o tabemasu ka. Does Tanaka-San eat ramen?
田中さんはラーメンを食べますか?

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Is this helpful to you? More Basic Japanese Grammar Series
Basic Grammar Guide Part II
Basic Grammar Guide Part III
Basic Grammar Guide Part IV
30 Must-know JLPT N5 Grammar Points

Start taking Japanese lessons and master basic Japanese grammar!

First, watch Yuka-sensei’s video above about the JLPT N4 Grammar!

If you have been studying Japanese for a while now – there’s a good chance you have come across the Japanese grammar point も (mo).

As we stated in this article on basic Japanese grammar, the particle も is often used to signify similarity and agreement in Japanese. However, it can also be used to add emphasis to quantity or quantities.

In this blog article, we will examine the emphasis use of も, such as how to say “that many?!”
This expression may appear on the JLPT N4 as well – so make note of its use!

JLPT N4 Grammar: Using も to Express “That many?”

Since this expression emphasizes quantity, も is used with counters. In Japanese, there are several different counters depending on the shape or matter of the object being counting.

For example, 枚 (まい/mai) is the counter for flat things, such as plates or pieces of paper, and 台 (だい/dai) is used to count machines and motor vehicles.

The structure is:
number + counter + も

Example: Food

A: ケーキを30個食べました。
keeki o sanjyuu ko mo tabemashita
I ate 30 cakes.
B: え、30個も食べたんですか？
E, sanjyuu ko mo tabetan desu ka?
Eh, you ate that many?

In Yuka-sensei’s example above, the literal translation is something like “you ate as many as 30 cakes?” However for conversation, a more accurate translation of this phrase into natural English would be merely:

Eh, you ate that many?

Saying も after repeating the quantity adds emphasis in Japanese, indicating surprise and/or that something is impressive.

Example: Cars

A: 私の友達は、車を5台持っています！
Watashi no tomodachi wa, kuruma o go dai motteimasu
I have a friend who owns 5 cars!
B: え、5台も持っているんですか？
Eh, go dai mo motteirun desu ka?
What, they own 5 cars?
These expressions often end with んですか？

As Yuka-sensei points out in the video above, this is a way to add more emotion to what you are saying. It conveys interest or even curiosity in what the other party is telling them.

Now you can practice using this yourself either in studying for the JLPT, or in your daily conversations!

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In Japanese, there are several words that can be used to say “But” or “however” – such as kedo, shikashi, and demo.

Today we will look at the word でも (demo) and how it can be used in a Japanese conversation. It’s one of the most essential JLPT N5 grammar points.

In Japanese, the word for “But” is でも。

It usually appears at the beginning of a sentence after an initial concept.

For example:

日本人ともっと話したいです。でも、私の日本語はあまり上手ではありません。
nihonjin to motto hanashitai desu. demo, watashi no nihongo wa amari jouzu dewa arimasen.
I want to speak to Japanese people more. But my Japanese is not so good.

スーパーに行きました。でも、閉まっていた。
Suu-paa – ni ikimashita. demo, shmatteita.
I went to the supermarket, but it was closed

Demo is often used to start a new sentence or to connect two ideas together.

Grammar Point: でも

でも is a conjunctive particle that is used to connect two clauses. It is similar to the English word “but” in that it is used to contrast two ideas. However, there are a few key differences between the two words.

First, でも can be used at the beginning of a sentence, but “but” cannot. For example:

でも、私は日本語が下手です。 (Demo, watashi wa nihongo ga heta desu.) – But I am not good at Japanese.

Second, でも is more informal than “but.” It is commonly used in everyday conversation, but it is not as appropriate for formal writing.

How to Use でも

でも can be used in a variety of ways to express different shades of meaning. Here are a few examples:

To contrast two ideas:
私は日本語が話せます。でも、日本語が書けません。 (Watashi wa nihongo ga hanasemasu. Demo, nihongo ga kaけません.) – I can speak Japanese, but I cannot write Japanese.
To express a concession:
今日は忙しいです。でも、あなたのために時間を作ります。 (Kyou wa isogashii desu. Demo, anata no tame ni jikan wo tsukurimasu.) – I am busy today, but I will make time for you.
To express a reservation:
私は日本語が上手だと思います。でも、まだまだ勉強が必要です。 (Watashi wa nihongo ga umai to omoimasu. Demo, madamada benkyou ga hitsuyō desu.) – I think I am good at Japanese, but I still need to study.

Examples of でも in Japanese Sentences

Here are a few examples of how でも is used in Japanese sentences:

私は日本語が好きです。でも、漢字が難しいです。 (Watashi wa nihongo ga suki desu. Demo, kanji ga muzukashii desu.) – I like Japanese, but kanji is difficult.
今日は晴れです。でも、風がとても強いです。 (Kyou wa hare desu. Demo, kaze ga totemo tsuyoi desu.) – It is sunny today, but the wind is very strong.
私は日本に行きたいです。でも、お金がありません。 (Watashi wa nihon ni ikitai desu. Demo, okane ga arimasen.) – I want to go to Japan, but I don’t have money.

Conclusion

でも is a very common Japanese word that can be used to express a variety of different meanings. By following the tips in this article, you can learn how to use でも correctly and confidently in your Japanese conversations and writing.

Try it yourself! We’ve compiled 30 other N5 grammar points, so check them out here to prepare the upcoming test!

Enjoyed our previous blog on 20 JLPT N2 Grammars?

In this blog, we share with you 20 MORE that will help you with your JLPT N2 revision! Without further ado, let’s dive in.

Here is the list of the 20 JLPT N2 grammar points:

Grammar Point 1: からすると　Karasuruto

This grammar point is used to infer something based on another. It can be used with nouns only.

Grammar Point 2:　といえば　Toieba

This grammar point means ‘Speaking of…’ and is used when talking about a certain topic. It can be used with nouns.

Grammar Point 3:　にもかかわらず　Ni mo kakawarazu

This grammar point means ‘although’, ‘in spite of’, ‘nevertheless’ or ‘although. It can be used by combining with verbs, い-adjectives, な-adjectives, and nouns.

Grammar Point 4:　もしない　Moshinai

This grammar point means ‘without even doing’ something. It is used with verbs in Group 1, 2 and 3. Remember to remove the ます or します when combining with the verb!

Grammar Point 5:　をめぐって　O megutte

This grammar point means ‘concerning’ or ‘in regard to’, and is used when referring to something. It is used by combining with either nouns or verbs.

Grammar Point 6:　っこない　Kkonai

This grammar point means ‘no chance of’ or ‘impossible’. It is used with verbs with a ます-stem. Be sure to remove the ます when combining with the verb!

Grammar Point 7:　というものは　Toiumono wa

This grammar point is used to express the universal behavior on a certain topic. It is usually used to talk about a general idea or objective fact. It can be used by combining with nouns.

Grammar Point 8:　はさておき　Wa sateoki

This grammar point is used to ‘set aside’ something. It can be used by combining with nouns.

Grammar Point 9:　はもとより　Wa motoyori

This grammar point means ‘let alone’ or ‘also’. It can be used by placing it in between 2 nouns.

Grammar Point 10:　以上　Ijou

This grammar point means ‘because’ or ‘now that’. It is used by combining either with a verb or noun. When added to a noun, be sure to include である before 以上, so it becomes (Noun)である以上.

Grammar Point 11:　折に　Orini

This grammar point means ‘when’ or ‘at the time’. It can be used by combining with casual verbs or nouns.

Grammar Point 12:　からして　Karashite

This grammar point expresses when you are inferring something ‘judging from’ or ‘based on’ something. It can be used by combining with nouns.

Grammar Point 13:　次第　Shidai

This grammar point means ‘as soon as possible’ and can be combined with verbs with a ます-stem. Be sure to remove the ます at the back!

jlpt n2 grammar point　ずにはいられない — ずにはいられない

Grammar Point 14:　ずにはいられない　Zuni wa irarenai

This grammar point means ‘can’t help but’. It is used by combining with verbs with a ない-stem. When adding this grammar point to the verb, be sure to remove the ない at the back!

Grammar Point 15:　限り　Kagiri

This grammar point means ‘as long as‘. It can be used by combining it with either a verb or a noun. When added to a noun, be sure to include である or　でない before 限り, so it becomes (Noun)である/でない限り.

Grammar Point 16:　ないものか　Naimonoka

This grammar point means ‘Can’t we…?’ or ‘Can’t I…?’ and is a particle used in questions. It can be used by combining with verbs with a ない-stem.

Grammar Point 17:　に先立って　Ni sakidatte

This grammar point is used when you do something before another, or when something happens before another. It can be used by combining it with either nouns or verbs.

Grammar Point 18:　はともかく　Wa tomokaku

This grammar point means ‘whether or not’ or ‘nevermind’, and can be combined with nouns.

Grammar Point 19:　あまり　Amari

This grammar point means ‘so much… that’. It can be used by combining with either verbs or nouns. When added to a noun, be sure to include の after the noun, so it becomes (Noun)のあまり.

Grammar Point 20:　得ない　Enai

This grammar point expresses something that is impossible to be done. It is used by combining with verbs with a ます-stem. Be sure to remove the ます at the back when adding this grammar point to the verb!

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Are you preparing for test and learning the JLPT N2 grammars now? This article explains to you 20 of the must-know grammar points for JLPT N2! From the meaning to sentence structures and sentence examples!

All these Grammar points and much more are covered in our Online JLPT N2 Preparation Course!

Without further ado, let’s dive straight in. Here is the list of the 20 must-know grammar points.

20 Must Know Grammar Points for the JLPT N2、image, photo, picture, illustration — ～っぽい

Grammar Point 1: っぽい

This grammar point is used to express something that “has a strong tendency of~” or simply put, it means “like” or “ish”. For example, you can add this grammar point at the back of the noun-て form to make them adjective-forms.

こども　＋　っぽい　＝　こどもっぽい (Childish)

Grammar Point 2: がち

がち is usually used for something that is negative or to express a tendency to do something. For example, 疲れがち which means tend to be tired easily as compared to 疲れ which just means tired.

Grammar Point 3: ていられない

If you have no time to do something or do not find the activity time-worthy, you may use this grammar point. This grammar point means you “can’t afford” or “can’t” do something.

For example, のんびりしてはいられない means I can’t afford to slack off. You add the noun-て form in front of the grammar point.

Grammar Point 4: てはならない

てはならない is more subjective. It means must not, cannot or should not. You can use this grammar point with a verb-て form and add the grammar at the back of the verb.

For example, 忘れ＋てはならない which means never forget.

Grammar Point 5: ねばならない

This grammar point means you have to do something or there is something that you must do. Add this grammar point to a verb-ない form. When you add in the grammar point, be sure to remove the ない at the back of the verb.

Grammar Point 6: ずにはいられない

This grammar point describes naturally irrepressible actions. It means “can’t help but do something” or “have to do something”. This grammar point can only be used in writing.

When spoken, it is changed to 「…ないではいられない」 instead. This grammar point is being added to a verb-ない form. When placing the grammar point, remove the ない at the back of the verb.

Grammar Point 7: ないではいられない

This grammar point means you “can’t help it but feel” or you “can’t help but do”. You need to place this grammar point with a verb-ない form. You do not need to take out the ない when placing the grammar point at the back.

Grammar Point 8: ないこともない

This means you “can do something”, or “something is not impossible to do”. Another way to put it is “it isn’t the case that ~ not ~”.

For example, I can eat natto but I don’t like it very much. You can eat natto, but if given over another kind of food, you would not pick natto because you don’t like it very much.

Grammar Point 9: しょうがない

You may have heard this used in a sentence before in dramas or anime. しょうがない means “there is no other way but…” or “very, extremely”.

Note that しょうがない is a contraction of しようがない which is used in informal spoken conversations.

Grammar Point 10: てたまらない

This grammar point comes from the word たまる which means to endure something. With the ない at the back, the word comes a negative form. This means “cannot endure something”.

Verbs and い adjectives would use the てたまらない while な adjectives would use でたまらない。

Grammar Point 11: は抜きにして

This grammar point is used in both positive and negative situations. For positive situations, rather than は抜きにして, we use 抜きに。As for negative situations, we use 抜きで。

Grammar Point 12: てばかりはいられない

Based on the word ばかり, we change it into a て form to express that one cannot do something repeatedly. The grammar point can be written in two ways; てばかりはいられない and てばかりもいられない。

Grammar Point 13:まだしも

This grammar point is used when comparing with different opinions and choosing a better opinion. For example, if we say [A]まだしも, [B], it means [A] is better or more preferred than [B]. Another way we can look at it is [B] is disliked over [A]

Grammar Point 14: ものの

This grammar point is normally used to express a contradiction. For example, [A]ものの + [B] means you want to go to [A] but you have something on [B].

Grammar Point 15: ものだから

ものだから is used when saying the reason is … for something which is unavoidable. For example, “the dog ate my homework, therefore (ものだから), I can’t turn in my homework.”

Grammar Point 16: ものなら

This is used when saying if [A] is possible, then [B]. Simply put, it is either impossible or very unlikely to be done. For example, (if I can go, then..) or (if I can return this, then…).

Grammar Point 17: 気味

気味 means something looks like or seems to be in a certain way.

For example, 疲れ気味 which means seems tired. You can add the grammar point with any noun or verb ます form. When you add 気味 with a verb ます form, be sure to take out ます before adding in.

Grammar Point 18: もの

This is used when you want to explain a reason for something. However, this expression is usually used most by girls and children. You add the reason with もの when you want to justify what you said.

Grammar Point 19: でならない

This is used to describe an emotion that is beyond control or used to describe “extremely”. でならない is mostly used for emotions, wishes, and feelings.

The grammar point is usually used in writing and is an old way used in spoken language.

Grammar Point 20: ないことはない

This grammar point is used when something is not impossible to do. Another meaning would be “it isn’t the case that.. not..”.

For example, in the above example, “it’s not that I can’t drive, I just don’t do it very often”. You can do it, but you just do not do it often.

Just like that, with our JLPT N2 Grammar list, you can pass your test with consistent effort and hard work!😁 頑張ってください！

Are You Serious About Passing the JLPT N2? We have Part 2 for you!

If you are, learn how to pass the JLPT N2 with our JLPT N2 Online Prep Course!

Check out our other JLPT blogs to learn more!

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Learning Japanese can feel overwhelming at first, but mastering basic greetings and essential vocabulary is a great way to start. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, interacting with Japanese speakers, or just curious about the language, these words and phrases will help you build a solid foundation.

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Mastering Basic Japanese Greetings and Essential Words

Top 100 Basic Japanese Words - Greetings in Japan infographic

Basic Japanese Words for Greetings

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
おはようございます	Ohayou gozaimasu	Good morning (formal)
こんにちは	Konnichiwa	Hello/ good afternoon
こんばんは	Konbanwa	Good evening
おやすみなさい	Oyasuminasai	Goodnight (formal)
ありがとうございます	Arigatou gozaimasu	Thank you
すみません	Sumimasen	Excuse me/ sorry
ごめんなさい	Gomennasai	Sorry (formal)
はい	Hai	Yes
いいえ	Iie	No

Cultural Tip: In Japan, bowing while saying greetings is a common practice and shows respect. Try incorporating a slight bow when greeting people.

Top 100 Basic Japanese Words - People in Japan infographic

Talking About Family in Japanese

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
わたし	Watashi	I/me
あなた	Anata	You
お母さん	おかあさん　Okaasan	Mother
お父さん	おとうさん　Otousan	Father
お爺さん	おじいさん　Ojiisan	Grandfather
お婆さん	おばあさん　Obaasan	Grandmother
おじさん	Ojisan	Uncle
おばさん	Obasan	Aunt
お兄さん	おにいさん　Oniisan	Older brother
お姉さん	おねえさん　Oneesan	Older sister
弟	おとうと　Otouto	Younger brother
妹	いもうと　Imouto	Younger sister

Did you know? The use of honorifics like “-san” adds politeness and respect to family terms.

Counting in Japanese: Numbers 1-10

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
一	いち　Ichi	One
二	に　Ni	Two
三	さん　San	Three
四	し/よん　Shi/yon	Four
五	ご　Go	Five
六	ろく Roku	Six
七	しち/なな　Shichi/nana	Seven
八	はち　Hachi	Eight
九	きゅう　Kyuu	Nine
十	じゅう　Juu	Ten

Tip: “Shi” (four) is sometimes avoided because it sounds like the word for “death” in Japanese.

Months of the Year in Japanese

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
一月	いちがつ Ichigatsu	January
二月	にがつ　Nigatsu	February
三月	さんがつ Sangatsu	March
四月	しがつ Shigatsu	April
五月	ごがつ Gogatsu	May
六月	ろくがつ　Rokugatsu	June
七月	しちがつ　Shichigatsu	July
八月	はちがつ　Hachigatsu	August
九月	くがつ　Kugatsu	September
十月	じゅうがつ　Juugatsu	October
十一月	じゅういちがつ　Juuichigatsu	November
十二月	じゅうにがつ　Juunigatsu	December

Top 100 Basic Japanese Words - Days of the Week

Days of the Week & Times of the Day in Japanese

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
月曜日	げつようび Getsuyoubi	Monday
火曜日	かようび Kayoubi	Tuesday
水曜日	すいようび Suiyoubi	Wednesday
木曜日	もくようび Mokuyoubi	Thursday
金曜日	きんようび Kinyoubi	Friday
土曜日	どようび Doyoubi	Saturday
日曜日	にちようび Nichiyoubi	Sunday
昨日	きのう Kinou	Yesterday
今日	きょう Kyou	Today
明日	あした Ashita	Tomorrow
朝	あさ Asa	Morning
昼	ひる Hiru	Noon
夕方	ゆうがた Yuugata	Evening
夜	よる Yoru	Night

Quick Fact: The days of the week are named after natural elements such as the moon (Getsu) and fire (Ka).

Top 100 Basic Japanese Words - Adjectives

Must-Know Japanese Adjectives

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
楽しい	たのしい　Tanoshii	Happy
悲しい	かなしい　Kanashii	Sad
高い	たかい　Takai	High/expensive
低い	ひくい　Hikui	Low
安い	やすい　Yasui	Cheap
早い	はやい　Hayai	Fast/early
遅い	おそい　 Osoi	Slow
忙しい	いそがしい Isogashii	Busy
美味しい	おいしい　Oishii	Delicious
不味い	まずい　Mazui	Awful
甘い	あまい　Amai	Sweet
塩っぱい	しょっぱい Shoppai	Salty
酸っぱい	すっぱい Suppai	Sour
苦い	にがい Nigai	Bitter
辛い	からい　Karai	Hot/ spicy
熱い	あつい　Atsui	Hot
暖かい	あたたかい　Atatakai	Warm
冷たい	つめたい　Tsumetai	Cold
明るい	あかるい　Akarui	Bright
暗い	くらい　Kurai	Dark

Try This: Describe your meal using these adjectives next time you eat Japanese food!

Common Japanese Verbs for Daily Use

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
する	Suru	To do
見る	みる　Miru	To see
聞く	きく　Kiku	To listen
話す	はなす　Hanasu	To talk/speak
言う	いう　Iu	To say
書く	かく　Kaku	To write
食べる	たべる　Taberu	To eat
飲む	のむ　Nomu	To drink
歩く	あるく　Aruku	To walk
走る	はしる　Hashiru	To run
座る	すわる　Suwaru	To sit
立つ	たつ　Tatsu	To stand

Practice Tip: Create sentences combining verbs with nouns, like “ごはんを食べる” (Gohan o taberu – I eat rice).

Food Japanese Vocabulary

Japanese	Pronunciation	Meaning
食べ物	たべもの　Tabemono	Food
飲み物	のみもの　Nomimono	Drinks
ご飯	ごはん　Gohan	Rice/meal
水	みず　Mizu	Water/cold water
お湯	おゆ　Oyu	Hot water
肉	にく　Niku	Meat
野菜	やさい　Yasai	Vegetable
魚	さかな　Sakana	Fish
ラーメン	Ra-men	Ramen
寿司	すし　Sushi	Sushi
おにぎり	Onigiri	Onigiri

For the next step after learning these basic Japanese words, equip yourself with basic Japanese grammar.

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Learn Japanese – What is 大丈夫 (Daijobu / Daijoubu)?

大丈夫 (daijoubu) is a common phrase used in everyday conversations. The word is similar to the words “All right,” “Fine,” or “Okay” in English – but in addition to this, there are many ways that you can use it in Japanese. This article will cover 20 ways to use 大丈夫 (daijoubu) properly.

The Detailed Definition 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!

20 Examples of using Daijoubu

If you injure yourself – you can let people know that you are fine by exclaiming

大丈夫です。Daijobu desu – I’m okay! – Polite/ Formal
大丈夫。 Daijobu – I’m okay! – Casual / Informal

You can ask someone else if they are alright after a fall.

大丈夫ですか？ Daijobu desu ka? – Are you alright?

You can confirm appointments by asking if a specific time is “okay.”

月曜日は大丈夫ですか？Getsuyoubi wa daijobu desu ka? – Is Monday okay?

You can ask if someone is alright after being unwell / having something happen to them.

もう大丈夫ですか？ Mou daijobu desu ka? – Are you alright now?

You can ask what time you can call someone.

あなたに何時から電話しても大丈夫ですか？Anata ni nan ji kara denwa shi temo daijobu desu ka? – What time is okay to call you?

You can give a range of time that it would be okay to do something (such as call or have a meeting).

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!

You can ask if it is okay to do something specific – like delete files off of a computer.

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 daijobu desu ka? – Is it okay to delete these files?

You can express that you think something should be alright.

たぶん大丈夫だ。Tabun daijobu da. – It should be alright.

You can reassure someone if they apologize to you for bumping in to you on the train.

Person A – すみません! – Sumimasen Sorry!
Person B – 大丈夫ですよ。– Daijobu desu yo – It’s fine!

You can ask someone if eating a certain food would be okay to eat.

ピザで大丈夫？Pi za de daijobu? – Is Pizza okay?

daijoubu — Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

You can use it to reassure someone that they will be fine in the future.

(E.g., if they have a test or an exam and are worried about it.)

あなたはきっと大丈夫。Anata wa kitto daijōbu. – You will be fine.

You can use it to state your surety / how convinced you are that something will happen.

大丈夫彼は来ますよ。daijobu kare wa kimasu yo. – He will come – you can count on it.

You can ask if something is safe / okay to use / do.

この水は大丈夫かね。Kono mizu wa daijobu ka ne. – Is this water safe to drink?

You can promise that something will be okay / give your word that you can be depended upon.

大丈夫請け合います。Daijobu uke aimasu – It will be okay – I guarantee you

You can express that something is fine with you personally.

私は大丈夫です。Watashi wa daijoubu desu – It’s alright with me. / I am okay with it.

You can ask if someone is feeling okay.

気分は大丈夫ですか。Kibun wa daijobu desu ka? – Are you feeling okay?

You can ask if a trait / characteristic of something is okay.

このサイズで大丈夫でしょうか。Kono saizu de daijoubu deshou ka? – Is the size okay?

You can express that there’s no need to do something.

送ってくれなくて大丈夫です。Okutte kurenakute daijobu desu. – There’s no need to send it.

You can ask if something was okay in the past. I.E. Weather

天気は大丈夫だった？Tenki wa daijoubu datta? – Was the weather okay?

You can ask someone for additional confirmation that something is alright

(E.g., if they are sure they are alright with something.)

これで大丈夫でしょうか。Kore de daijobu deshouka? – Are you sure you are okay with this?

Phrases Similar To Daijoubu

While daijoubu is a versatile phrase, other phrases commonly used in Japan convey similar meanings.

元気です。 Genki desu – I’m fine/healthy.

元気ですか。Genki desu ka? – Are you okay?

問題ない。 Mondai nai – No problem.

それで問題ないですか。Sore de mondai nai desu ka? – Is that okay?

安全です。Anzen desu －It’s safe.

ここは安全ですか。Koko wa anzen desu ka? – Is this place safe?

大丈夫だと思います。Daijōbu da to omoimasu – I think it’s okay.

このようにして大丈夫だと思います。Kono yō ni shite daijōbu da to omoimasu. – I think it’s okay to do it this way.)

結構です。Kekkō desu－It’s enough/I’m okay.

もう結構です。Mō kekkō desu. – That’s enough.

Let’s Watch Japanese learning video to recap on what we have learned today!

Want to know more about some commonly used phrases in Japan? Read these blogs down below:

Once you’ve learned the meaning of Daijoubu, we recommend practicing them with immersive Japanese listening conversations. Our Japanese podcasts are a great way to do this. The NHK World Japan Audio Shows also offer excellent listening practice for learners at any level.

FAQ

What does "daijobu" mean?

Daijobu is a versatile Japanese phrase that can be translated to “okay,” “all right,” or “fine.” However, its meaning can vary depending on the context.

How is "daijobu" used?

Daijobu can be used in a variety of situations:

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.)
Giving permission: “Hai, daijobu desu.” (Yes, that’s okay.)

Are there any cultural nuances to consider when using "daijobu"?

Yes, there are cultural nuances to consider:

Avoiding conflict: Japanese culture values harmony and avoiding conflict. Daijobu can be used to maintain this harmony, even if you’re not entirely okay with it.

Indirect communication: Japanese communication often relies on indirectness. Daijobu can be used to avoid confrontation or negative emotions.

How can I practice using "daijobu"?

To practice using daijobu, try incorporating it into your daily conversations. Here are some tips:

Listen to Japanese media: How native speakers use daijobu in different contexts.
Practice with a language partner: Role-play different scenarios where you can use daijobu.

Use language learning apps: Many language learning apps offer exercises and quizzes to help you practice vocabulary and grammar, including daijobu.

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.

Can I use daijoubu to say I’m fine?

Yes, you can definitely do so. But to say it formally, remember to add desu at the end.

What is the difference between daijoubu and genki?

Daijoubu means “I’m fine”, reassuring someone that they are okay, but genki usually means I’m healthy or energetic enough to inform them about their physical and emotional state.

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日本語はこちら

In this article, we will cover:

What does こんにちは (Konnichiwa) mean?
When do I use おはよう (Ohayou) then?
What about こんばんは (Konbanwa)?

What does こんにちは (Konnichiwa) mean in Japanese?

Konnichiwa 「こんにちは」 is one of the first words you learn in Japanese. Often times, on social media posts, you may see it spelled as 「こんにちわ」. However, as you may have learned in your studies, the correct spelling is actually 「こんにちは」.

「こんにちは」is usually written in hiragana, but if you write it in kanji, it’s「今日は」, which can also be read as 「きょうは〜, kyo wa〜」 . This directly translates to “today is ~ ”. Originally, people often greeted each other with 「今日は天気が良いですね、kyou wa tenki ga ii desune- Today, the weather is nice.」or「今日は暑いですね、kyou wa atsui desune- Today, it is hot.」. Over time, people began to shorten their greetings by cutting off the latter portions, eventually resulting in 「こんにちは, konnichiwa」.

What Part of Speech is Konnichiwa?

At times, people ask me, “What part of speech is 「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」? Is it a noun? Greetings, including 「おはよう,ohayo- good morning」,「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day, 」, and「こんばんは, konbanwa- good evening」are not nouns, but interjection s. Interjections are words which we use when our hearts are stirred.

For example, the 「わぁー。」in「わぁー。きれいだなぁ。Waa-, kireidanaa- Waa, it’s so beautiful!」, and the 「あっ。」in「あっ。宿題を忘れた。 Aa, shukudai o wasureta- Aa, I forgot my homework!」are interjections. Therefore, greetings are words which encompass the stirring of our hearts when we meet someone, and the feeling of wanting to communicate with the people we meet.

Other Greetings Besides Konnichiwa

When do I use おはよう (Ohayou) then?

Well then, everyone, at what time do you change your greeting from 「おはよう, ohayo- good morning」to「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」? This is quite a difficult question! There is actually no fixed rule. The television and radio station NHK, which uses the most correct Japanese in Japan, states that “The greeting「おはよう,ohayo, good morning」is generally acceptable until 9:00 am.

However, you should be cautious when using it after 9:00 am.” In addition, a famous Tokyo hotel states that “For guests, we use 「おはようございます, ohayogozaimasu- good morning (polite)」until around 10:30 am, and after that we use 「いらっしゃいませ, irasshaimase- welcome」.

What about こんばんは (Konbanwa)?

How about the transition from 「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」to「こんばんは, konbanwa- good afternoon」? This is actually even more difficult!
NHK states that “「こんばんは,konbanwa- good afternoon」is generally used after the sun has gone down and it gets pretty dark. It is better not to use it when the sun is still out.” In short, when you transition greeting is dependent on the season. For me, I think in the summer I switch greetings around 7:00 pm, and in the winter around 5:30 pm.

Japanese greetings allow you to communicate with the people you meet, while also keeping the seasons and time in mind. However, do you ever think that the greetings used by some store clerks in Japan are a little too obnoxious? I think those type of greetings might just be the requirements of the store manual and perhaps aren’t the most sincere.

After having learned all of these, why not try putting these to use by greeting people over the phone? Or, if you have a friend that you haven’t met in awhile, why not try using “Hisashiburi” with them!

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FAQ

What does "Konnichiwa" mean in English?

“Konnichiwa” is a common Japanese greeting that translates to “Hello.” However, the most appropriate English equivalent can vary depending on the time of day.

When do you use "Konnichiwa"?

“Konnichiwa” is a versatile greeting used in various situations. It’s a polite way to greet someone, especially when meeting someone for the first time or addressing someone of higher status. While it can be used at any time of day, it’s more commonly used as a general greeting.

What's the difference between "Ohayō" and "Konnichiwa"?

“Ohayō” means “Good morning” and is primarily used in the morning. “Konnichiwa” is a more general greeting, but “Ohayō” is considered more appropriate in the morning.

What's the difference between "Konbanwa" and "Konnichiwa"?

“Konbanwa” means “Good evening” and is primarily used in the evening. “Konnichiwa” is a more general greeting, but “Konbanwa” is more appropriate in the evening.