If you’ve hung around Japanese speakers, you might have noticed “Daijōbu” being used a lot. For non-native speakers, this might represent one of the most essential words that represent just how versatile the Japanese Language can get. Here at Valiant Japanese, we spend time during our lessons focusing on these types of words because they are common and useful.
Before we go any further, I want to answer the most important question, what does Daijōbu mean in Japanese. The answer to this question is _not something that can be answered in a few words as it is highly contextual_.
So, what does Daijōbu mean in Japanese. At its core.
The core of Daijōbu (大丈夫) swords around the idea of safety, security, and being okay. The translations that come to mind are as follows:
“It’s okay/ alright/ fine” “safe/ secure/ sturdy” “no problem/ just relax.”
The issue is that the word’s placement in a sentence can cross its meaning, which can be extremely confusing to someone learning the language for the first time.
The duality of Daijōbu in the example “Acceptance vs. Refusal”
Mastering the ways of using Daijōbu allows you to understand its contextual function, this is however based on your tone and the context of the sentence to mean acceptance and refusal.
1. Accepting/Affirming (Yes, I’ll take it/ Yes, it’s okay)
If it is a statement or answer in the affirmative, it means everything is all right or satisfies the offer:
• Question: \(\text{気分はどうですか?}\) ( \(\text{Kibun wa dō desu ka?}\) – How do you feel?)
• Answer: \(\text{大丈夫です.}\) ( \(\text{Daijoubu desu.}\) – I’m okay/ I’m fine.)
• Question: \(\text{もっとご飯を食べますか?}\) ( \(\text{Motto gohan o tabemasu ka?}\) – Would you like to eat more rice?)
• Answer: \(\text{大丈夫です!}\) ( \(\text{ Daijōbu desu!}\) – Yes, I’ll take it! / Yes, that would be great!) – This is a rare alternative, often meaning, ”Yes, it’s okay to give me more”.
2. Declining/Refusing (No, I am okay / No, thank you)
This is the tricky part! When to use politely declining an offer, \(\text{Daijoubu}\) would mean, ‘No thank you, I am okay as I am.’
• Offer: \(\text{お手伝いしましょうか?}\) ( \(\text{O-tetsudai shimashou ka?}\) – May I offer my assistance?)
• Refusal: \(\text{大丈夫です, ありがとうございます.}\) ( \(\text{ Daijōbu desu, arigatou gozaimasu.}\) – No, thank you, I am fine on my own.)
• Offer (at a shop): \(\text{袋はいりますか?}\) ( \(\text{Fukuro wa irimasu ka?}\) – Would you like to get a bag?)
• Refusal: \(\text{大丈夫です.}\) ( \(\text{ Daijōbu desu.}\) – No, I do not need one.).
2. The Key to Using Daijoubu Correctly: Context and Tone
The best way to find out which meaning was intended is to use context and the speaker’s intonation.
1. Context: If you would like to say ‘no’ to someone offering you something, you can say it $\text{大丈夫です}$ and this will be conveyed politely. If someone would like to wish you well, a courtesy $\text{大丈夫です}$ would be interpreted as ‘yes, I am fine.’
2. Tone: When saying ‘no’ it would be in a lighter tone while being conclusive. When saying ‘yes’ or when clarifying whether it is ‘Okay’ or not, it would be a tone that would be tentative.
underline{Level Up Your Usage with Valiant Japanese}
The level of a language you speak is determined by how well you can use and apply the language in real conversational use. This is why being able to use the word ‘Daijōbu’ and many more like it properly is the mark of an intermediate speaker as to being a fluent and confident one. This is what we work on during our lessons at Valiant Japanese: https://www.valiantjapanese.jp/ – personalized lessons that are centred on this conversational skill that you won’t be able to attain by memorizing a word.
Call Now
Enquiry Now!