What does it mean word for word?
The word 大丈夫 (daijōbu) literally means "all right", "safe" or "undamaged".
Which one should you use?
Other forms exist depending on the level of politeness required. For example, それでよろしいでしょうか？ and それは大丈夫ですか？ are formal versions. In casual settings, you might use それでいい？ or simply 大丈夫？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
よろしいですか is a much more formal way to ask if a situation or arrangement is acceptable, often used in business settings. それでいい？ and 大丈夫？ are informal. それでよろしいでしょうか？ and それは大丈夫ですか？ are also formal options.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, people use ええか？ as a casual way to ask "is that okay?" In the Hiroshima dialect, people say ええん？ to ask "is that okay?"
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, the question particle ka and the copula desu are often dropped, leaving only the word with a rising intonation.
How do you pronounce it?
daijōbu desu ka
When do people say it?
The standard polite response to this question is 大丈夫です, which means "it is okay" or "I am fine".
Did you know?
- While 大丈夫 means 'okay' today, it originally referred to a 'great man' or a high-ranking official in the imperial court.
- Pairing the phrase 大丈夫です with a hand-waving gesture in front of the face is a common way to communicate 'no thank you' when offered something.
- In Japanese social interactions, answering 大丈夫です with a falling intonation can signal that you are actually struggling but have decided to endure the situation.
Examples in context
- 明日、10時に来ても大丈夫ですか？Ashita, juuji ni kite mo daijoubu desu ka?Is it okay if I come tomorrow at 10 o'clock?
- この使い道で大丈夫ですか？Kono tsukaimichi de daijoubu desu ka?Is this way of using it okay?
Example conversation
Misaki asks Youta if a certain time for a meeting works for him.
- 美咲 Misaki来週の月曜日は大丈夫ですか？Raishuu no getsuyoubi wa daijoubu desu ka?Is next Monday okay for you?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、大丈夫ですよ。Hai, daijoubu desu yo.Yes, that is fine.
- 美咲 Misaki時間は午後二時で大丈夫ですか？Jikan wa gogo niji de daijoubu desu ka?Is two in the afternoon okay for the time?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、問題ありません。Hai, mondai arimasen.Yes, no problem.
