What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of daijōbu (okay/alright) and the negative copula janai (is not).
Which one should you use?
While daijōbu can mean 'safe', in the negative form 大丈夫じゃない, it is most commonly used to mean someone is not feeling well or a situation is problematic or unacceptable. Additionally, if you want to express that something is specifically 'inconvenient', you would use 都合が悪い. If you want to express that there is a specific issue, 問題があります is used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
大丈夫じゃない is the informal way to say 'not okay'. For a polite version, use 大丈夫ではありません, which utilizes the formal negative copula dewa arimasen instead of the colloquial janai. The phrase 問題があります is also a formal way to express that there is an issue or that things are not okay.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that a person or situation was not okay in the past, change the negative copula janai to the past tense janakatta, resulting in 大丈夫じゃなかった.
How do you pronounce it?
daijōbu janai
Did you know?
- The word 大丈夫 was originally a term for a person of great character or a 'man of substance'. In classical Japanese, it referred to someone who was reliable and could be trusted in a crisis.
- Japanese culture often relies on 'reading the air', so if someone says daijōbu with a hesitant tone, the listener is expected to understand that the person is actually 'not okay' without them ever having to use the negative form.
- In certain Japanese subcultures, particularly in anime or gaming, saying daijōbu janai with a specific tone can function as a humorous way to signal that a character is undergoing a ridiculous or over-the-top mental breakdown.
Examples in context
- この状態は大丈夫ではありません。This situation is not okay.
- 申し訳ありませんが、この件に問題があります。I'm sorry, but there is an issue with this matter.
- すみませんが、都合が悪いのです。I'm sorry, but it's inconvenient for me.
- これは駄目ですよ。This is not okay.
- この状況、やばくない？Isn't this situation bad/not okay?
- この状況は全然大丈夫じゃない。Kono joukyou wa zenzen daijoubu janai.This situation is not okay at all.
Example conversation
Yota looks tired and sad at school.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、元気ないね。大丈夫？Yōta, genki nai ne. Daijōbu?Yota, you don't seem energetic. Are you okay?
- 陽太 Yota実は、今は全然大丈夫じゃないんだ。Jitsu wa, ima wa zenzen daijōbu janain da.Actually, I'm not okay at all right now.
- 陽葵 Himariどうしたの？何かあった？Dō shita no? Nanika atta?What happened? Did something go wrong?
- 陽太 Yotaちょっと悩み事があるんだ。Chotto nayamigoto ga arun da.I have something on my mind.
