Japanese word

大丈夫

Pronunciation

Romajidaijōbu

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveokay

Example

私は大丈夫です。watashi wa dai jō bu de su

I am okay.

Illustration for 大丈夫 (okay)

More examples

わたしは大丈夫です。wa ta shi wa dai jō bu de su

I am okay.

この箱は一人で運んでも大丈夫です。ko no bako wa hito ri de hako n de mo dai jō bu de su

It is okay to carry this box alone.

Core concept

It shows that someone or something remains in a reliable condition without harm or trouble.

Common phrases

  • 大丈夫ですかdai jō bu de su ka

    Are you okay

  • もう大丈夫mō dai jō bu

    okay now

Similar words

平気heiki: It shows that a person is not troubled by a situation and can continue normally.
無事buji: It shows that a person or thing reaches a safe state without harm or trouble.
安全anzen: It shows that a person or thing has little risk of harm or danger.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事に危険や不都合がなく、無事である。hito ya mono goto ni ki ken ya fu tsu gō ga na ku bu ji de a ru

Word origin

大丈夫 (daijōbu) is a Sino-Japanese word from Chinese 大丈夫, originally meaning "a great man"; 大 (dai, "great") and 丈夫 (jōbu, "man") later came to express dependability and safety.

Usage tips

  • A beginner may hear 大丈夫 (daijōbu) as only "okay," but speakers also use it to reassure someone or to decline an offer politely.

Other meanings

  • safena-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word