ただいま
tadaima
The English phrase "I am back" is translated into Japanese as ただいま (tadaima).
The phrase is used to announce one's return to their home or a place where they live.
What does it mean word for word?
ただいま is a shortened version of ただいま帰りました, which literally means "I have just now returned".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ただいま is a common and casual way to informally announce your return to a household or a group of people you live with. In formal situations, you should use ただいま帰りました to indicate your return.
How do you pronounce it?
tadaima
When do people say it?
When someone says ただいま, the standard response from those present is おかえり (welcome back).
Did you know?
- If you enter your home and no one is there, you might still say ただいま aloud to acknowledge your arrival to the house itself.
- In Japanese business culture, a worker often says ただいま when returning to the office from a meeting or errand, not just when returning home.
- The word ただ in ただいま can also mean 'only' or 'free of charge' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- あ、ただいま！A, tadaima!Ah, I'm back!
Example conversation
Hiroto returns home to Yui after a long day.
- 大翔 Hirotoただいま。Tadaima.I am back.
- 結衣 Yuiおかえり、大翔。Okaeri, Hiroto.Welcome home, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto今日も疲れたよ。Kyou mo tsukareta yo.I'm tired today, too.
- 結衣 Yuiお疲れ様。お茶にする？Otsukaresama. Ocha ni suru?Good job today. Do you want some tea?
