How to Say “Of Course” in Japanese

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もちろん
mochiron
The Japanese phrase for "of course" is もちろん (mochiron).
もちろん is a common way to express enthusiastic agreement. While it functions as "of course", related terms like 勿論, 当然 and 当たり前 can also be used to mean "naturally" depending on the context.
Meaning: indicates enthusiastic agreement (intj)

Which one should you use?

もちろん is used to show enthusiastic agreement.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Using just もちろん by itself is informal and can sound blunt if used with a superior. To make it more polite, you can use もちろんです (mochiron desu), which is a polite yet casual version suitable for polite conversation or speaking to someone of higher status. For a more formal expression that emphasizes a sense of natural expectation or inevitability, use 当然です (tōzen desu).

Is it said differently in some regions?

In the Kansai area, people commonly use もちろんやん (mochiron yan) to mean of course.

Related words

Naturally (adv): 勿論, 当然, 当たり前.

How do you pronounce it?

mochiron

Did you know?

  • The phrase もちろん is written using the characters for 'not' 勿 and 'discussion' 論, literally meaning 'no need for discussion'.
  • In professional settings, Japanese speakers often avoid もちろん and instead use かしこまりました (kashikomarimashita) to signal agreement, as the former can sound too casual or overconfident.
  • The nuance of 'of course' changes significantly if you switch from もちろん to 当たり前, as the latter can imply that something is 'obvious' in a condescending way.

Examples in context

  • もちろんさ。
    Of course.
    This shows how to use もちろん in a simple sentence.
    Tatoeba #193379 by bunbuku, translation #433492 by CK
  • もちろんいいとも。
    Of course, you may.
    This demonstrates using もちろん to grant permission.
    Tatoeba #193380 by small_snow, translation #30544 by Mediabat
  • もちろん、行くよ。
    Of course I will go.
    This shows how to use もちろん to express an intention to do something.
    Tatoeba #9795383 by small_snow, translation #30533 by CC
  • 75 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Ren asks Yui if she wants to join him for coffee.

  1. 蓮 Ren

    コーヒー、飲みに行く？
    Ko-hi-, nomi ni iku?
    Do you want to go drink some coffee?
  2. 結衣 Yui

    もちろん、行きたい！
    Mochiron, ikitai!
    Of course, I want to go!
  3. 蓮 Ren

    じゃあ、駅前で待ってるね。
    Jaa, ekimae de matteru ne.
    Then, I'll wait for you in front of the station.
  4. 結衣 Yui

    うん、すぐ行くよ。
    Un, sugu iku yo.
    Okay, I'll be there soon.

Sources

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Carter Anthony
Carter AnthonyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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