How to say "Okay" in Japanese | 大丈夫

word

Meaning

Love

Reading

Kanji

大Big 好Like, Fond

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese adjective '大好き (だいすき)' means 'love' or 'really like'. It is used to express strong affection or preference for something or someone. This word is often used in casual conversations to convey enthusiasm or deep fondness. For example: I love sushi「私は寿司が大好きです」(わたしはすしがだいすきです). He really likes cats「彼は猫が大好きです」(かれはねこがだいすきです). Note that '大好き' is stronger than '好き (すき)', which simply means 'like'.

word

Meaning

Big

Reading

Kanji

大Big

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese adjective '大きい (おおきい)' means 'big'. It is used to describe something that has a relatively large size or volume. This adjective can be applied to physical objects, spaces, or even abstract concepts like influence or importance. For example: This house is big「この家は大きい」(このいえはおおきい). His dream is big「彼の夢は大きい」(かれのゆめはおおきい). When modifying a noun, it is often used as '大きい家 (おおきいいえ) (big house)'. Note that '大きい' is commonly used in everyday conversation, while '大きな (おおきな)' is a more literary or formal alternative.

word

Meaning

Student

Reading

Kanji

大Big 学Learn 生Life

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '大学生 (だいがくせい)' refers specifically to a 'university student' or 'college student'. It is a compound word formed from '大学 (だいがく)', meaning 'university', and '生 (せい)', meaning 'student' or 'life'. This term is used to describe someone who is currently enrolled in and attending a university. For example: She is a university student「彼女は大学生です」(かのじょはだいがくせいです). I want to become a university student「私は大学生になりたい」(わたしはだいがくせいになりたい). The word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to individuals pursuing higher education.

word

Meaning

Big

Reading

Kanji

大Big

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese determiner '大きな (おおきな)' means 'big' and is used to describe something of large size or significance. Unlike the adjective '大きい (おおきい)', '大きな' is a pre-noun adjectival (連体詞) and can only be used directly before a noun. It often carries a slightly more subjective or emotional nuance, emphasizing the impression of size rather than just physical dimensions. For example: a big tree「大きな木」(おおきなき). A big dream「大きな夢」(おおきなゆめ). Note that '大きな' cannot be used at the end of a sentence, unlike '大きい'.

word

Meaning

University

Reading

Kanji

大Big 学Learn

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '大学 (だいがく)' means 'university'. It refers to an institution of higher education and research, which awards academic degrees in various subjects. This term is commonly used to describe both the institution itself and the experience of attending it. For example: I go to university「私は大学に行きます」(わたしはだいがくにいきます). He graduated from Tokyo University「彼は東京大学を卒業しました」(かれはとうきょうだいがくをそつぎょうしました). The word can also be used in compound nouns, such as '大学院 (だいがくいん)' (graduate school) or '大学生 (だいがくせい)' (university student).

word

Meaning

Sturdy

Reading

Kanji

頑Stubborn 丈Stout, Length

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese adjectival noun '頑丈 (がんじょう)' means 'sturdy' or 'robust'. It is used to describe something that is strongly built, durable, or tough, often referring to physical objects or structures. For example: This table is sturdy「このテーブルは頑丈だ」(このテーブルはがんじょうだ). The bridge is robust「その橋は頑丈だ」(そのはしはがんじょうだ). It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone's health or resolve, as in 'He has a sturdy constitution'「彼は頑丈な体を持っている」(かれはがんじょうなからだをもっている).

word

Meaning

Strong, Durable

Reading

Kanji

丈Stout, Length 夫Man, Husband

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese adjectival noun '丈夫 (じょうぶ)' primarily means 'strong' or 'durable'. It is used to describe objects, materials, or even people that are sturdy, robust, or resistant to damage. For example: This bag is durable「このカバンは丈夫です」(このかばんはじょうぶです). He is strong and healthy「彼は丈夫です」(かれはじょうぶです). The word can also imply reliability or resilience, such as in the phrase '丈夫な建物 (じょうぶなたてもの)' (a sturdy building). Note that while 'strong' and 'durable' are closely related, they are distinct enough to warrant separate meanings in this context.

word

Meaning

Husband

Reading

Kanji

夫Man, Husband

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '夫 (おっと)' means 'husband'. It is used to refer to a married man in relation to his spouse. This term is neutral and commonly used in everyday conversation. For example: my husband is kind「私の夫は優しい」(わたしのおっとはやさしい). Her husband works at a bank「彼女の夫は銀行で働いています」(かのじょのおっとはぎんこうではたらいています). Note that '夫' is more formal than other terms like '主人 (しゅじん)' or '旦那 (だんな)', which can also mean 'husband' but carry different nuances.

word

Meaning

Married couple

Reading

Kanji

夫Man, Husband 婦Lady

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '夫婦 (ふうふ)' means 'married couple'. This word refers to two people who are married to each other, regardless of gender. It is used to describe the relationship between the spouses. For example: They are a married couple 「彼らは夫婦です」 (かれらはふうふです). The married couple went on a trip 「夫婦は旅行に行きました」 (ふうふはりょこうにいきました). Note that this word is neutral and does not imply any particular marital status other than being married.

word

Meaning

Wife, Madam

Reading

Kanji

夫Man, Husband 人Person

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '夫人 (ふじん)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'wife', specifically referring to someone's wife, often in a formal or respectful context. For example: the president's wife「大統領の夫人」(だいとうりょうのふじん). The second meaning is 'madam', used as a polite or formal way to address or refer to a woman, particularly one of high status. For example: Madam Tanaka is here「田中夫人がいらっしゃいます」(たなかふじんがいらっしゃいます). This term is often used in formal settings or when showing respect.

word

Meaning

Device, Scheme

Reading

Kanji

工Construction 夫Man, Husband

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese verbal noun '工夫 (くふう)' refers to a device, scheme, or contrivance, often implying a clever or inventive solution to a problem. It can be used in various contexts, from physical devices to abstract strategies. For example: He devised a clever scheme to solve the problem「彼は問題を解決するための工夫をした」(かれはもんだいをかいけつするためのくふうをした). This machine is equipped with various devices「この機械には様々な工夫が施されている」(このきかいにはさまざまなくふうがほどこされている). The term emphasizes ingenuity and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges.

word

Meaning

Actor

Reading

Kanji

太Thick, Fat 夫Man, Husband

Handwriting

Explanation

The Japanese noun '太夫 (たゆう)' refers to a leading actor in traditional Japanese theater, particularly in Noh or Kabuki. This term is often used to denote a highly skilled and respected performer who takes on principal roles. For example: The actor performed brilliantly「太夫の演技は素晴らしかった」(たゆうのえんぎはすばらしかった). In Kabuki, the leading actor is called '太夫'「歌舞伎では主役を太夫と呼ぶ」(かぶきではしゅやくをたゆうとよぶ). The term carries a sense of prestige and expertise in the performing arts.