無条件
mujōken
The English word "unconditional" is translated into Japanese as 無条件 (mujōken).
Meaning: without conditions (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 無 (mu), meaning "without" and 条件 (jōken), meaning "condition".
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 無条件 as an adjective to modify a noun, you must add the particle の after it, forming 無条件の. To use it as an adverb meaning "unconditionally", add に to the end to form 無条件に.
How do you pronounce it?
mujōken
Did you know?
- While 無条件 is a direct translation, Japanese people often express 'unconditional love' as 無償の愛 (mushō no ai). This uses the word 'gratuitous' or 'free of charge' instead of 'unconditional'.
- The character 条 (jō) in 条件 originally referred to a strip of wood or a branch, which evolved to represent a clause or a systematic line in a document.
- Because 無 implies a total void or non-existence, saying 無条件 can feel much more absolute and stark than the English 'unconditional'.
Examples in context
- 彼は無条件の支援を提供してくれました。He offered unconditional support.
- 彼女は私に絶対的な信頼を寄せています。She has unconditional trust in me.
- 彼は私に対して限りない信頼を寄せています。He has unconditional trust in me.
- 彼は無条件に私の味方をしてくれる。Kare wa mujoken ni watashi no mikata o shite kureru.He unconditionally takes my side.
- 無条件に同意するのは良くない。Mujoken ni doui suru no wa yokunai.It is not good to agree unconditionally.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about a friendship.
- 陽太 Yota本当の友達なら、無条件に助け合うよね。hontou no tomodachi nara, mujoken ni tasukeau yo ne.If you're true friends, you help each other unconditionally, right?
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね。それが信頼関係だと思う。sou da ne. sore ga shinrai kankei da to omou.That's true. I think that is what a relationship of trust is.
- 陽太 Yota美咲はいつも僕を無条件で応援してくれる。Misaki wa itsumo boku o mujoken de ouen shite kureru.Misaki always supports me unconditionally.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太の努力は認めているからね。Yota no doryoku wa mitomete iru kara ne.That's because I recognize your hard work, Yota.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 無条件, CC BY-SA 4.0.
