正しい
tadashii[ta̠da̠ɕii]
The English phrase 'correct' can be translated into Japanese as 正しい (tadashii) or 正解 (seikai).
Meaning: free from error (adj)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 正しい | tadashii | [ta̠da̠ɕii] (narrow) [ma̠sa̠ɕiː] (narrow) |
| 正解 | seikai | [se̞ːka̠i] (narrow) |
Use the adjective 正しい to describe a state of being right, such as a correct method, a correct path or a correct judgment. In many contexts, 正しい carries a nuance of being morally right or just in addition to being factually accurate.
Which one should you use?
While 正しい is an adjective meaning 'correct' or 'right', 正解 is a noun meaning 'the correct answer' or 'the right solution'. When reacting to someone's correct answer in a game or quiz, it is natural to say 正解 or 正解です rather than using the adjective 正しい.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
tadashii
When do people say it?
In informal conversation, you may hear the word うん (un) used to agree or affirm that something is correct.
Did you know?
- In the context of woodworking, the character for 正しい can be used to describe wood that is 'straight-grained'.
- The older version of the word, 正し (masashi), has largely vanished from modern speech and now survives mainly in regional dialects.
- The adjective 正しい (tadashii) can be used to describe things as 'straight' or 'direct', not just 'correct'. It shares its roots with the concept of a straight line.
Examples in context
- 大体正しい。That is almost correct.This sentence demonstrates how to use 正しい to describe something as almost correct.Tatoeba #137402 by small_snow, translation #275834 by CK
- 私、正しい？Am I correct?This sentence shows a question using the adjective 正しい to ask if one is correct.Tatoeba #3488251 by arnab, translation #2244885 by CK
- あなたは正しい。You're correct.This sentence shows a simple statement of fact using 正しい.Tatoeba #5188 by bunbuku, translation #2202700 by CK
- Tadashī kotae wa nan desu ka? (正しい答えは何ですか?)What is the correct answer?
- Yappari, anata ga tadashī! (やっぱり、あなたが正しい！)As expected, you're right!
- Un, sō da yo. (うん、そうだよ。)Yeah, that's right.
- Ganbatte kudasai! (がんばってください!)Good luck!
- 76 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are checking Kenta's math homework.
- 健太 Kentaこの答えは正しいかな？Kono kotae wa tadashii kana?I wonder if this answer is correct?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、全部正しいよ。Un, zenbu tadashii yo.Yeah, they are all correct.
- 健太 Kentaよかった、安心したよ。Yokatta, anshin shita yo.Great, I'm relieved.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さんは、計算が上手だね。Kenta-san wa, keisan ga jouzu da ne.Kenta, you are good at calculations.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “correct” translations and entries 正しい, 正解, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 正しい, 正解, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
