Japanese Conversation · Level 34
90 words
Japanese word
当たり前
Pronunciation
Romajiatarimae
Meaning
- na-adjectiveobvious
Example
それは当たり前です。so re wa a ta ri mae de su
That is obvious.
More examples
初めての人が間違えるのは当たり前です。haji me te no hito ga ma chiga e ru no wa a ta ri mae de su
It is natural for beginners to make mistakes.
Core concept
It treats a state or result as the proper and expected one rather than something surprising or unusual.
Common phrases
当たり前だと思うa ta ri mae da to omo u
think it is obvious
当たり前のことa ta ri mae no ko to
the obvious thing
当たり前のようにa ta ri mae no yō ni
as a matter of course
Similar words
当然tōzen: A result or action is expected or considered proper in a given situation.
明らかakiraka: A fact or meaning is clear and easy to recognize or understand.
Definition in Japanese
特別に説明や疑問を挟むまでもなく、誰もがそうだと認めるさま。toku betsu ni setsu mei ya gi mon o hasa mu ma de mo na ku dare mo ga sō da to mito me ru sa ma
Word origin
当たり前 (atarimae, "obvious or natural") combines 当たり (atari, "a fitting result or expected share") with 前 (mae, "before or in front"); the reason for this particular meaning is not certain.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, 当たり前のこと (atarimae no koto) can mean "only natural" rather than simply "obvious," and it can describe an expected duty or result.
Other meanings
- naturalna-adjective
- reasonablena-adjective
Opposites
- 意外igaiunexpectedna-adjective