大丈夫ですか？
Daijōbu desu ka?
In Japanese, "are you fine?" is expressed as 大丈夫ですか？ (Daijōbu desu ka?)
The phrase 大丈夫ですか？ is used to ask if someone is okay or safe, particularly after an accident or a problem. It can also be used to ask if a proposed plan or situation is acceptable to someone. While 大丈夫ですか？ asks if someone is okay, if you want to ask if someone is healthy or doing well in a general sense, you should use 元気ですか？
What does it mean word for word?
大丈夫 (daijōbu) means "fine" or "okay," and ですか？ (desu ka?) is a polite question ending.
Which one should you use?
大丈夫ですか？ is used to check on someone's immediate safety or the acceptability of a situation. In contrast, 元気ですか？ is used to ask about someone's general health or well-being.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 大丈夫 (daijōbu) functions as a noun or a na-adjective meaning "okay," "alright," or "fine."
How do you pronounce it?
Daijōbu desu ka?
When do people say it?
A common way to respond to this question is to repeat the word with です to state that you are okay, such as 大丈夫です。
Did you know?
- Historically, 大丈夫 was used to describe a 'true man' or a 'real man' who possessed great strength and courage.
- While 大丈夫 means 'fine', it is frequently used as a polite way to say 'no thank you' when offered something, such as a plastic bag at a store.
- The kanji 大 means 'big', 丈 means 'length' or 'sturdy', and 夫 means 'husband' or 'man'.
Examples in context
- 大丈夫ですか？お元気ですか？Are you fine? Are you well?
- 転びましたが、大丈夫ですか？Korobimashita ga, daijoubu desu ka?You fell down, are you okay?
- 顔色が悪いですが、大丈夫ですか？Kaoiro ga warui desu ga, daijoubu desu ka?You look pale, are you alright?
- 大丈夫ですか？ 怪我はありませんか？Daijoubu desu ka? Kega wa arimasen ka?Are you fine? Are you injured?
Example conversation
Misaki trips on the sidewalk and Youta rushes to help her.
- 陽太 Yota大丈夫ですか？Daijoubu desu ka?Are you okay?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、大丈夫です。ありがとうございます。Hai, daijoubu desu. Arigatou gozaimasu.Yes, I'm fine. Thank you.
- 陽太 Yotaどこか痛いところはありませんか？Doko ka itai tokoro wa arimasen ka?Does anywhere hurt?
- 美咲 Misaki膝を少し擦っただけなので、大丈夫ですよ。Hiza o sukoshi sutta dake na no de, daijoubu desu yo.I just scraped my knee, so I'm fine.
