Japanese Conversation · Level 71
75 words
Japanese word
一体
Pronunciation
Romajiittai
Meaning
- adverbwhat on earth
Example
一体どうしたのですか。it tai dō shi ta no de su ka
What on earth happened?
More examples
一体なぜそんなことを言ったのですか。it tai na ze so n na ko to o i tta no de su ka
Why on earth did you say that?
Core concept
Pushes a question beyond simple curiosity by showing surprise, confusion, or strong interest.
Common phrases
一体何it tai nan
what on earth
一体なぜit tai na ze
why on earth
一体誰it tai dare
who on earth
一体どこit tai do ko
where on earth
一体どうしたit tai dō shi ta
What on earth is wrong
Similar words
まったくmattaku: An adverb that adds strong emotion, such as surprise or irritation, to a question.
本当にhontōni: An adverb that emphasizes the truth of a situation or expresses surprise about it.
Definition in Japanese
疑問文で、驚きや困惑の気持ちを表して疑問の意味を強める語。gi mon bun de odoro ki ya kon waku no ki mo chi o arawa shi te gi mon no i mi o tsuyo me ru go
Word origin
一体 (ittai, "one body") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 一 (ichi, "one") and 体 (tai, "body"); it later gained an adverbial use for emphatic questions.
Usage tips
- In casual conversation, 一体 (ittai) can come before question words such as 何 (nani) and 誰 (dare), while leaving it out makes the question more neutral.
Other meanings
- why on earthadverb
- where on earthadverb
- who on earthadverb
- how on earthadverb