The Word Daijoubu Is an Essential Japanese Expression (2024)

This word can mean 'OK' or 'all right'

The Word Daijoubu Is an Essential Japanese Expression (1)

By

Namiko Abe

Japanese Language Expert

  • B.A., Kwansei Gakuin University

Namiko Abe is a Japanese language teacher and translator, as well as a Japanese calligraphy expert. She has been a freelance writer for nearly 20 years.

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Updated on May 07, 2019

Daijoubu(大丈夫) means "OK" in Japanese. It can also mean "all right." In Japan, daijoubu is a common response to an order or instruction, such as a parent telling a child to clean his room or a boss explaining to an employee how to carry out a project.

Using Daijoubu

Daijoubu is often the word you would use to tell others you are "fine" in Japanese. Generally, it can mean both yes and no. Daijoubu is also used as a safe way to answer a question. However, many native speakers say that the word is overused in the Japanese language as a response in different situations.

Daijoubu and Daijoubu Desu

Daijoubuis sometimes paired withdesu(です), which by itself means "is," or when written as-n desu(ん です), means "it is."In different situations, the addition ofdesucan cause daijoubuto mean different things, depending on the context, as the following examples show:

  1. Suppose that someone says to you: “I heard you had been suffering from a terrible cold for a week. Are you OK now?” As a response, you might answer"daijobu desu"(I'm fine).
  2. When a waiter asks, “Do you want some water?” people mightrespond with,"Daijobu desu,"meaning “No thanks."
  3. If someone asks: "Are you hurt?" you might answer by saying,"daijoubu," which in this context means, "I am fine."

And if your host asks, "Is the water too hot?" an appropriate response might be,"daijoubu," which translates as "it's just fine."

Related Phrases

  • Daijoubu desu ka(大丈夫ですか) can be used in formal situations. It means "Are you OK?"
  • Daijoubu(which can also be spelled in Japanese as だいじょうぶ。) can mean, "I'm going to be all right."

So, if you're in no distress, content, happy, relaxed, and comfortable, and you're visiting Japan or talking with native Japanese speakers, know thatdaijoubu or daijoubu desuis nearly always an appropriate response.

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Abe, Namiko. "What Does Daijoubu Mean in Japanese?" ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/daijoubu-simple-japanese-phrases-2028353.Abe, Namiko. (2023, April 5). What Does Daijoubu Mean in Japanese? Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/daijoubu-simple-japanese-phrases-2028353Abe, Namiko. "What Does Daijoubu Mean in Japanese?" ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/daijoubu-simple-japanese-phrases-2028353 (accessed April 2, 2024).

The Word Daijoubu Is an Essential Japanese Expression (2024)

FAQs

The Word Daijoubu Is an Essential Japanese Expression? ›

Daijoubu desu is one of the most versatile and essential Japanese phrases for daily life. Daijoubu means “alright” or “o*kay”, but in the right context it can also be used to mean “yes” or “no”. A common scenario where you might use this phrase is when you're at the supermarket and the clerk asks you something.

What does daijoubu mean in Japanese? ›

Daijoubu desu (だいじょうぶ です) or kekkou desu (けっこうです)

Daijoubu desu – meaning “it's ok” or “I'm ok” – and kekkou desu – “it's fine” – are both ways to say “no, thank you,” when offered something or invited somewhere.

What is another word for daijoubu? ›

Daijoubu, 大丈夫 is another example of a word that can help you express many things in Japanese. To give you an idea, here is an extensive list of what Daijoubu means in English: safe, secure, problem-free, without fear, all right, alright, okay, OK, certainly, surely, undoubtedly, no thanks, I'm good, that's alright.

How to respond to daijoubu? ›

A simple "Daijōbu desu ka (are you okay)?" is the best way to do that. If the answer is "Daijōbu desu (I'm okay)," or, "Daijōbu desu, arigatou (I'm okay, thanks)," then the implication is, "No, I don't need help."

What does life is daijoubu mean in English? ›

Originally, “DAIJOUBU” was used only with the meaning of “No problem” or “It's fine, no worries”.

What does hai daijoubu desu mean? ›

Daijoubu desu (だいじょうぶ です)

Meaning: I'm fine, that's ok. Daijoubu desu can mean “it's ok” or “I'm ok.” That means, confusingly, it can be used to say yes, all is well, or a casual “no, thank you,” just depending on the context.

Does moshi moshi mean? ›

Moshi Moshi is an informal telephone greeting in Japan that literally translates to “I speak, I speak”, or “I say, I say”. In our Moshi Moshi seasonal...

Does daijoubu mean don't worry? ›

大丈夫 (Daijoubu)

大丈夫 (だいじょうぶ) means “It's okay” or “It's not a problem” as a response to someone else. For example, you can use it when a waiter offers water at a restaurant and you want to politely reject them.

What does life is not daijoubu mean? ›

Life is not Daijoubu. Daijoubu (大丈夫) means "OK" in Japanese, it can also mean "all right". Simple yet Bold design perfect for individuals who is a fan of japanese language and also for individuals familiar with the anime slangs :) Looks best with black/gray/dark backgroun.

What is the negative form of Daijoubu? ›

To make NA-adjectives into their negative form, we add DEWANAI. So, the negative form of DAIJÔBU (all right) is DAIJÔBU DEWANAI (not all right). You will sound casual, if you replace DEWANAI by JANAI, and say DAIJÔBU JANAI.

What is the most polite way to say you in Japanese? ›

1. あなた — Anata. Typically written with hiragana, あなた is the standard, polite way to refer to the listener in a conversation, though generally it is only used when you do not know the name of the person you are speaking to.

What does Wakaranai mean? ›

Usually, "shira-nai" is translated "I don't know" and "wakara-nai" is translated "I don't understand". Both words are used when the speaker can't answer the listener clearly.

What is the meaning of kudasai? ›

The Japanese word "kudasai" can be roughly translated to "please" or "kindly" in English. It is often used to make a polite request or ask for something in a polite manner. So, if you want to ask someone for something politely, you can use "kudasai" in Japanese. It's a handy word to know!

What is the Japanese phrase for purpose in life? ›

Ikigai (生き甲斐, lit. 'a reason for being') is a Japanese concept referring to something that gives a person a sense of purpose, a reason for living.

What does daijoubu desu ga mean? ›

大丈夫 です– Daijoubu(Daijobu) desu(It's okay!) [ Informal]

Generally, “Daijoubu(Daijobu) desu” can be translated as “It's okay,” or “I'm okay,” or something is okay, based on context. It gives a sense of things being alright, whether you want to refer to a situation, a person, or something else that is “Daijoubu(Daijobu).”

Why do Japanese say Hai so much? ›

Basically, “Hai” is used to make a decision in response to a question, but many Japanese people naturally use this word in “conversational reply” (2). In such cases, “Hai” does not include the meaning of “YES,” but is more like a simple “I'm listening to what you have to say.

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