Japanese word

主に

Pronunciation

Romajiomoni

Meaning

  • adverbmainly

Example

私は主に電車で通います。watashi wa omo ni den sha de kayo i ma su

I mainly commute by train.

Illustration for 主に (mainly)

More examples

休日は主に家で過ごします。kyū jitsu wa omo ni ie de su go shi ma su

I mainly spend my days off at home.

Core concept

Shows that something accounts for most of a situation, while leaving room for other parts or exceptions.

Common phrases

  • 主に働くomo ni hatara ku

    mainly work

  • 主に使うomo ni tsuka u

    mainly use

Similar words

主としてnushitoshite: It identifies one thing as the main part or purpose while leaving room for others.
ほとんどhotondo: It indicates that nearly all of something is included or affected.
だいたいdaitai: It describes the general state of something without requiring every detail to match.

Definition in Japanese

全体のうち、中心となる部分や大部分を占めるさま。zen tai no u chi chū shin to na ru bu bun ya dai bu bun o shi me ru sa ma

Word origin

主 (omo, "main") combines with に (ni, an adverb-forming particle) to form 主に (omoni), an adverb meaning "mainly."

Usage tips

  • Unlike English mainly, 主に (omoni) usually comes before the phrase it limits, such as a topic, activity, or means of transport.

Word lists with this word