Adverbs for careful speech and writing in Japanese
The adverbs that make a statement more exact, more formal or more pointed.
Practise this list
From these 40 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.
More about this list
Several of these adverbs are sharper or more formal versions of words you already have: 極めて is a formal とても, 再び a formal また, 直ちに the すぐに of notices and instructions. A few only work with a negative after them — 到底, 一概に — and the sentence sounds unfinished without one, much as English “in the least” needs a “not” to lean on. Many are usually written in kana, and the list shows them that way.
The words
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Adverb (40)
一層even more; all the moreAdverbN2
雨が降り出して、風も一層強くなった。It started to rain, and the wind grew even stronger.
A formal もっと; often より一層.
依然としてstill; as beforeAdverbN2
事故の原因は依然として分かっていない。The cause of the accident is still unknown.
Of a situation that has not changed when it might have; news language.
主にmainly; mostlyAdverbN3
この店の客は主に近所の学生だ。The customers of this shop are mainly local students.
およそabout; roughlyAdverbN2
駅から会場までは、歩いておよそ20分です。From the station to the venue is roughly twenty minutes on foot.
A formal だいたい; usually written in kana.
改めてagain; anew; formallyAdverbN2
詳しいことは、後日改めてご連絡いたします。We will contact you again with the details at a later date.
あくまでto the last; strictly, onlyAdverbN2
これはあくまで私個人の意見です。This is strictly my own personal opinion.
Also あくまでも.
極めてextremelyAdverbN2
今回の事故は極めて珍しいケースだ。This accident is an extremely rare case.
いわばso to speak; as it wereAdverbN2
祖母の店は、いわば町の居間のような場所だった。My grandmother’s shop was, so to speak, the town’s living room.
要するにin short; in a wordAdverbN2
要するに、予算が足りないということですね。In short, you are saying the budget is not enough.
むしろrather; if anythingAdverbN3
休みの日は出かけるより、むしろ家で本を読みたい。On my days off I would rather read at home than go out.
直ちにimmediately; at onceAdverbN2
警報が出たら、直ちに高台へ避難してください。If a warning is issued, go to high ground immediately.
The すぐに of notices, rules and announcements.
あらかじめin advance; beforehandAdverbN2
参加を希望する方は、あらかじめお申し込みください。Those who wish to take part are asked to apply in advance.
Written in kana as a rule.
たちまちin no time; instantlyAdverbN2
新商品はたちまち売り切れた。The new product sold out in no time.
いずれsooner or later; some dayAdverbN2
いずれ分かることだから、今話しておく。You will find out sooner or later, so I will tell you now.
As a pronoun it means “which” or “either”: いずれの場合も, in either case.
とっくにlong ago; alreadyAdverbN3
電車はとっくに出てしまった。The train left long ago.
既にalreadyAdverbN3
会場に着いたときには、会議は既に始まっていた。By the time I reached the venue, the meeting had already started.
A written もう; also often in kana.
かつてonce; formerlyAdverbN2
この町にはかつて大きな城があった。There was once a large castle in this town.
Usually in kana.
単にmerely; simplyAdverbN2
それは単に運が良かっただけだ。That was simply luck.
果たしてreally (I wonder); as expectedAdverbN2
果たしてこの計画はうまくいくのだろうか。Will this plan really work, I wonder?
With a question it doubts; in a statement it confirms a prediction.
一斉にall at once; simultaneouslyAdverbN2
合図とともに、選手たちは一斉に走り出した。At the signal, the runners all set off at once.
徐々にgradually; little by littleAdverbN2
薬を飲んでから、痛みが徐々に引いてきた。Since I took the medicine, the pain has gradually eased.
Close to 次第に; 徐々に stresses small, steady steps.
再びagain; once moreAdverbN2
一度閉店した店が、再び営業を始めた。The shop that had closed has opened again.
いまだにstill; even nowAdverbN2
あの日のことは、いまだに忘れられない。I still cannot forget that day.
Suggests that by now it might have been expected to change; usually in kana.
常にalways; constantlyAdverbN3
運転中は常に周りに注意しなければならない。When driving you must always pay attention to your surroundings.
A written いつも.
一向に(not) in the least; (not) at allAdverbN2
何度薬を飲んでも、咳が一向に治らない。However much medicine I take, my cough shows no sign of getting better.
With a negative: nothing has moved at all.
大いにgreatly; very muchAdverbN2
今回の経験は、将来大いに役に立つだろう。This experience will surely be of great use in the future.
あえてdeliberately; dare toAdverbN2
反対する人が多い中、彼はあえて自分の考えを述べた。With many against it, he deliberately spoke his own mind.
Doing something although there is a reason not to.
何しろafter all; at any rateAdverbN2
何しろ初めての経験なので、分からないことばかりだ。It is my first time, after all, so there is a lot I do not know.
ひたすらsingle-mindedly; nothing butAdverbN2
試験の前の一週間は、ひたすら勉強した。In the week before the exam I did nothing but study.
いかにもtruly; just like; as ifAdverbN2
彼はいかにも楽しそうに話していた。He was talking with every sign of enjoying himself.
とりわけparticularly; above allAdverbN2
今年の夏はとりわけ暑かった。This summer was particularly hot.
ひとまずfor now; for the time beingAdverbN2
熱が下がったので、ひとまず安心した。My fever has gone down, so for now I am relieved.
つくづくdeeply; thoroughly (felt)AdverbN2
病気をして、健康の大切さをつくづく感じた。Being ill made me realise deeply how precious health is.
共にtogether; bothAdverbN2
家族と共に新しい年を迎えた。I saw in the new year together with my family.
A formal 一緒に.
専らmostly; exclusivelyAdverbN2
休日は専ら家で映画を見ている。On my days off I mostly just watch films at home.
到底(not) by any means; utterlyAdverbN2
この量の仕事を一日で終えるのは到底無理だ。Finishing this much work in one day is utterly impossible.
Only with a negative or with 無理.
一概にacross the board; without exceptionAdverbN2
安い物が悪いとは一概に言えない。You cannot say across the board that cheap things are bad.
Almost always with 言えない.
なおさらall the more; even more soAdverbN2
やめろと言われると、なおさらやりたくなる。Being told to stop makes you want to do it all the more.
相当considerably; quiteAdverbN2
彼は相当疲れているようだ。He seems to be very tired.
Also a noun and a na-adjective: 相当な金額, a considerable sum.
いっそrather; might as wellAdverbN2
こんなに待つなら、いっそタクシーで行こうか。If we have to wait this long, why not just take a taxi?
