Japanese word

だいたい

Pronunciation

Romajidaitai

Meaning

  • adverbabout

Example

今日はだいたい五時に帰ります。kyō wa da i ta i go ji ni kae ri ma su

I will go home at about five today.

Illustration for だいたい (about)

More examples

この箱にはだいたい十個入ります。ko no bako ni wa da i ta i jū ko hai ri ma su

This box holds about ten items.

Core concept

Gives a quantity, time, or degree as an estimate that is close but not exact.

Common phrases

  • だいたい十個da i ta i jū ko

    about ten

  • だいたい一時間da i ta i ichi ji kan

    about an hour

Similar words

およそoyoso: Indicates an approximate quantity, time, or degree in a neutral statement.
約yaku: Marks a following number or amount as an estimate rather than an exact figure.
ほぼhobo: Indicates that a quantity or degree is nearly complete or equal to a stated value.
ざっとzatto: Gives a rough count or amount without detailed calculation.

Definition in Japanese

数量・時刻・程度などを、細部を省いておおよその範囲で示す語。sū ryō ji koku tei do na do o sai bu o habu i te ō yo so no han i de shime su go

Word origin

The adverb だいたい (daitai) is based on 大体 (daitai), a Sino-Japanese compound of 大 (dai, "large") and 体 (tai, "whole"), suggesting the whole or broad outline.

Usage tips

  • The word だいたい (daitai) helps keep simple conversation natural when a speaker knows the general time or amount but does not give an exact figure.

Other meanings

  • almostadverb
  • generallyadverb

Word lists with this word