Japanese word

文字通り

Pronunciation

Romajimojidōri

Meaning

  • adverbliterally

Example

彼の説明を文字通りに受け取りました。kare no setsu mei o mojidō ri ni u ke to ri ma shi ta

I took his explanation literally.

Illustration for 文字通り (literally)

More examples

その表現は文字通りに解釈すると誤解を招きます。so no hyō gen wa mojidō ri ni kai shaku su ru to go kai o mane ki ma su

Interpreting that expression literally can cause misunderstanding.

Core concept

文字通り (moji dōri) marks an interpretation that follows the plain wording without adding a figurative meaning.

Common phrases

  • 文字通りに受け取るmojidō ri ni u ke to ru

    take literally

  • 文字通りに解釈するmojidō ri ni kai shaku su ru

    interpret literally

Similar words

字義通りjigitōri: It follows the direct dictionary meaning of the words rather than a figurative sense.
言葉通りkotobatōri: It follows the stated wording without adding an implied meaning.
額面通りgakumentōri: It accepts a statement at its stated value without looking for a hidden meaning.

Definition in Japanese

表現を文字に書かれたとおりに解釈し、比喩的な意味を取らずに。hyō gen o moji ni ka ka re ta tō ri ni kai shaku shi hi yu teki na i mi o to ra zu ni

Word origin

文字通り (moji-dōri) is a compound of 文字 (moji, "written characters") and 通り (tōri, "way"), giving the sense of taking words according to their written form.

Usage tips

  • English literally can act as an informal intensifier, while 文字通り (moji dōri) specifically points to a nonfigurative reading.

Other meanings

  • to the letteradverb

Word lists with this word