Japanese Conversation · Level 54
90 words
Japanese word
ろくに
Pronunciation
Romajirokuni
Meaning
- adverbproperly
Example
彼はろくに寝ません。kare wa ro ku ni ne ma se n
He does not sleep properly.
More examples
暗くて、遠くの標識がろくに見えません。kura ku te tō ku no hyō shiki ga ro ku ni mi e ma se n
It is dark, so I cannot see the distant signs properly.
Core concept
Shows that an action or state does not reach the level needed to be considered sufficient or satisfactory.
Common phrases
ろくに話せないro ku ni hana se na i
not be able to speak properly
ろくに使えないro ku ni tsuka e na i
not be able to use properly
ろくに見えないro ku ni mi e na i
not be able to see properly
Similar words
まともにmatomoni: In a proper or satisfactory manner, often in a negative statement about an inadequate result.
ろくすっぽrokusuppo: To a sufficient degree, usually with a negative expression and in a strongly colloquial tone.
ちゃんとchanto: In a proper, orderly, or reliable manner, with the expected care or completeness.
たいしてtaishite: To a significant degree, usually in a negative statement meaning not very much.
Definition in Japanese
必要な水準に達するほど十分でなく、満足に行えないさま。hitsu yō na sui jun ni tas su ru ho do jū bun de na ku man zoku ni okona e na i sa ma
Word origin
ろくに (rokuni) combines ろく (roku, "proper" or "satisfactory") with に (ni), which turns the word into an adverb.
Usage tips
- Unlike properly in an ordinary affirmative sentence, ろくに (rokuni) usually appears with a negative expression and signals that an action is inadequate or barely carried out.
Other meanings
- enoughadverb
- welladverb