When trying to express the concept of “insignificant” in Japanese, you’ll find that there are various words and phrases that can be used depending on the context and level of formality. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to convey the meaning of “insignificant” in Japanese.
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Formal Ways to Say “Insignificant”
If you want to express “insignificant” in a formal setting or when speaking to someone you’re not familiar with, you can utilize the following expressions:
- 重要性が乏しい (Juuyousei ga toboshii): Used to describe something’s lack of importance or significance in a formal manner.
Example: 彼の意見は重要性が乏しいです。 (Kare no iken wa juuyousei ga toboshii desu.)
Translation: His opinion is insignificant.
価値が低い (Kachi ga hikui): This phrase means “low value” and can be used to describe something that is of little significance or worth.
Example: この問題は価値が低いです。 (Kono mondai wa kachi ga hikui desu.)
Translation: This problem is insignificant.
取るに足りない (Toru ni tarinai): This expression can be used to describe something that is not worth considering or is insignificant in nature.
Example: 彼の言葉は取るに足りないです。 (Kare no kotoba wa toru ni tarinai desu.)
Translation: His words are insignificant.
Informal Ways to Say “Insignificant”
When speaking casually or informally, you can use the following phrases to convey the meaning of “insignificant” in Japanese:
- ちっぽけ (Chippoke): This word means “tiny” or “trivial” and is often used to describe something as insignificant in a casual conversation.
Example: その問題はちっぽけだよ。 (Sono mondai wa chippoke da yo.)
Translation: That problem is insignificant.
取るに足らない (Toru ni taranai): Similar to the formal expression, this phrase can be used to convey something is not worth considering or is insignificant.
Example: 彼の意見は取るに足らないな。 (Kare no iken wa toru ni taranai na.)
Translation: His opinion is insignificant.
ささいな (Sasai na): This word means “trivial” or “unimportant” and is commonly used to describe something as insignificant in everyday conversations.
Example: これはささいな問題だから気にしないで。(Kore wa sasai na mondai dakara ki ni shinaide.)
Translation: This is a trivial problem, so don’t worry about it.
Regional Variations
When it comes to regional variations, the words and phrases mentioned above are commonly understood across different dialects in Japan. However, it’s worth mentioning that some regional variations might exist. For example, in the Kansai region, people may use the word “しょせん” (Shosen) or the phrase “かんけら” (Kankera) to express something as insignificant.
It’s important to note that while regional variations exist, they are not commonly used outside of their respective regions. Therefore, it’s recommended to rely on the more universally understood expressions mentioned earlier.
In Conclusion
In this guide, we have explored various ways to express “insignificant” in Japanese, both in formal and informal contexts. Remember to choose the appropriate word or phrase depending on the level of formality and the person you are speaking to. While regional variations exist, it is advisable to stick to the more widely understood expressions to ensure effective communication.
Keep practicing and using these phrases in everyday conversations to become more comfortable with expressing “insignificant” in Japanese. Enjoy your language learning journey!
