大丈夫
daijōbu[da̠iʑo̞ːbɯ̟]
In Japanese, 'it will be okay' is expressed as 大丈夫 (daijōbu).
大丈夫 is a versatile phrase used to comfort someone or express that a situation will result in a positive outcome. It can also mean 'it is okay', 'it is fine' or 'no problem'. Depending on the context and your intonation, it can function as both a reassuring statement and a question to ask if something is alright.
Which one should you use?
While the standard form is used for general reassurance, changing the intonation to a rising one turns 大丈夫? into a question meaning 'Are you okay?' or 'Is it okay?' For more specific formal reassurance, such as 'there's no need to worry', you might use 心配ご無用です. In casual settings, to say 'no need to worry', you can use 心配いらないよ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for formal settings, add です to the end to form 大丈夫です. To make it casual, you can use the word alone, add だ to form 大丈夫だ or use だよ to form 大丈夫だよ for a casual tone.
How do you pronounce it?
daijōbu
Did you know?
- In Japanese shops or restaurants, 大丈夫です is frequently used as a polite way to say 'no thank you' to an offer. For example, if a clerk asks if you need a bag, saying 大丈夫です means you are fine without one.
- The phrase 大丈夫 originally referred to a 'great man' or a person of exceptional character in classical Chinese literature. Over time, the meaning shifted from describing a person of stature to describing a state of being 'solid' or 'undisturbed'.
- Because 大丈夫 can imply that something is 'sufficient' or 'adequate', using it to answer a request might accidentally sound like you are saying 'it is enough, please stop'.
Examples in context
- きっと大丈夫だよ。Kitto daijoubu da yo.It will surely be okay.
- 心配しないで、大丈夫。Shinpai shinaide, daijoubu.Don't worry, it will be okay.
- 明日はきっと大丈夫です。Ashita wa kitto daijoubu desu.Tomorrow will surely be okay.
Example conversation
Himari is nervous about a test.
- 陽葵 Himariテストが不安です。Tesuto ga fuan desu.I'm nervous about the test.
- 大翔 Hiroto大丈夫。頑張ったもんね。Daijōbu. Ganbatta mon ne.It will be okay. You worked hard, right?
- 陽葵 Himari本当に大丈夫だと思いますか？Hontō ni daijōbu da to omoimasu ka?Do you really think it will be okay?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、きっと大丈夫だよ。Un, kitto daijōbu da yo.Yeah, it will definitely be okay.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 大丈夫, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 大丈夫, CC BY-SA 4.0.
