Japanese word

定か

Pronunciation

Romajisadaka

Meaning

  • na-adjectivecertain

Example

その話が本当かどうかは定かではありません。so no hanashi ga hon tō ka dō ka wa sada ka de wa a ri ma se n

It is not certain whether that story is true.

Illustration for 定か (certain)

More examples

なぜその問題が起きたのかは、今も定かではありません。na ze so no mon dai ga o ki ta no ka wa ima mo sada ka de wa a ri ma se n

It is still not clear why the problem occurred.

Core concept

Marks a matter as clearly established rather than uncertain or open to doubt.

Common phrases

  • 定かではないsada ka de wa na i

    not be certain

  • 定かな証拠sada ka na shō ko

    certain evidence

Similar words

確かtashika: Indicates that a fact or piece of information is certain and reliable.
明らかakiraka: Describes a matter whose truth can be recognized from facts or evidence.
明白meihaku: Describes a matter whose truth is obvious and cannot reasonably be denied.

Definition in Japanese

物事が明確で、確実であるさま。mono goto ga mei kaku de kaku jitsu de a ru sa ma

Word origin

In the Japanese word 定か (sadaka, "certain"), 定 (sada, "fixed") is combined with the suffix か (ka), giving the word a sense of something settled and definite.

Usage tips

  • 定か (sadaka) is more formal than everyday expressions such as はっきりしている (hakkiri shite iru, "be clear"), and it frequently occurs in negative statements.

Other meanings

  • clearna-adjective

Opposites

  • 不確かfutashikauncertainna-adjective

Related words

  • 定かさsadakasacertaintynoun

Word lists with this word