Adverbs that show surprise, effort, certainty and resignation.
Practise this list
From these 41 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
Many of these adverbs only work with a particular kind of ending: 少しも and 必ずしも need a negative, まるで wants よう, 今にも wants そう, もしかしたら wants かもしれない. They carry the speaker's attitude rather than facts — surprise, regret, effort, resignation — which is why English often needs a whole phrase ("I went to the trouble of…") where Japanese needs one word.
The words
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Adverb (41)
たしかif I remember rightly; I thinkAdverbN3
たしか会議は木曜日だったと思います。If I remember rightly, the meeting was on Thursday.
In this sense usually written in kana; 確かに, certainly, is a different word.
結局in the end; after allAdverbN3
長い間話し合いましたが、結局何も決まりませんでした。We talked for a long time, but in the end nothing was decided.
実はactually; to tell the truthAdverbN4
実は、来月会社を辞めることになりました。Actually, I'm going to be leaving the company next month.
Introduces something the listener does not know yet, often something awkward.
例えばfor exampleAdverbN4
日本の果物、例えば桃や梨はとても甘いです。Japanese fruit — peaches or pears, for example — is very sweet.
いきなりsuddenly; without warningAdverbN3
知らない人にいきなり名前を呼ばれて、びっくりしました。A stranger suddenly called out my name, and I was startled.
必ずしもnot necessarilyAdverbN3
高いものが必ずしもいいものだとは限りません。Expensive things are not necessarily good things.
Always followed by a negative: 必ずしも…ない.
一応just in case; more or lessAdverbN3
一応、傘を持って行きます。I'll take an umbrella, just in case.
わざわざspecially; going to the trouble ofAdverbN3
遠いところをわざわざ来てくださって、ありがとうございます。Thank you for taking the trouble to come all this way.
せっかくwith much trouble; since (an effort has been made)AdverbN3
せっかく作ったのに、誰も食べてくれませんでした。I went to all the trouble of making it, and nobody ate it.
Often with のに for disappointment, or から for "so let's make the most of it".
どうせanyway; in any caseAdverbN3
どうせ遅れるなら、ゆっくり行こう。If we're going to be late anyway, let's take our time.
Sounds resigned, sometimes sulky.
さすがjust as you would expectAdverbN3
一度で合格するなんて、さすがですね。Passing at the first attempt — just what I'd expect of you.
Praise for someone living up to their reputation.
案外unexpectedly; surprisinglyAdverbN3
難しいと思っていたけれど、案外簡単でした。I thought it would be hard, but it was surprisingly easy.
意外にsurprisingly; more than expectedAdverbN3
見た目は地味だけど、食べてみたら意外においしかった。It looked plain, but when I tried it, it was surprisingly good.
Close to 案外; 意外 is also a na-adjective.
思わずwithout meaning to; in spite of oneselfAdverbN3
おかしくて、思わず笑ってしまいました。It was so funny that I burst out laughing.
たまたまby chance; happen toAdverbN3
たまたまつけたテレビに、友達が映っていました。I happened to switch on the TV, and there was my friend on the screen.
ついwithout thinking; can't helpAdverbN3
ダイエット中なのに、つい甘いものを食べてしまいます。I'm on a diet, but I keep eating sweet things without thinking.
Usually with 〜てしまう.
ついにat last; finallyAdverbN3
工事に十年かかった橋が、ついに完成しました。The bridge, ten years in the making, has finally been completed.
とうとうin the end; finallyAdverbN3
一時間待ったけれど、彼はとうとう来ませんでした。I waited an hour, but in the end he never came.
Like ついに, but also for an outcome nobody wanted.
いよいよat last (something long awaited is here)AdverbN3
いよいよ明日から夏休みです。The summer holidays start tomorrow at last.
まるでjust like; as ifAdverbN3
今日は暖かくて、まるで春のようです。It's so warm today, it's just like spring.
Followed by よう or みたい.
まさかsurely not; never (expected)AdverbN3
まさか彼が一番になるとは思いませんでした。I never imagined he would come first.
少しもnot at all; not in the leastAdverbN3
彼の話は少しも面白くありませんでした。His talk wasn't the least bit interesting.
Always with a negative.
全くcompletely; (not) at allAdverbN3
フランス語は全く分かりません。I don't understand French at all.
なんとかsomehow; one way or anotherAdverbN3
道が混んでいたけれど、なんとか間に合いました。The roads were busy, but I somehow made it in time.
Also written 何とか.
なんとなくsomehow; for no particular reasonAdverbN3
なんとなく、今日はいいことがありそうな気がします。I have a vague feeling that something good will happen today.
どうしてもno matter what; just cannotAdverbN3
どうしてもこの映画が見たいです。I simply have to see this film.
With a negative: however hard I try, I cannot.
せめてat leastAdverbN3
忙しくても、せめて週に一回は電話してね。Even if you're busy, phone at least once a week.
The minimum the speaker wishes for.
少なくともat least (an estimate)AdverbN3
駅まで少なくとも一時間はかかります。It takes at least an hour to get to the station.
そのうちbefore long; one of these daysAdverbN3
そのうちまた遊びに来てください。Do come and visit again one of these days.
今にもat any momentAdverbN3
空が暗くて、今にも雨が降りそうです。The sky is dark; it looks as if it will rain any minute.
Usually with 〜そうだ.
互いにeach other; mutuallyAdverbN3
二人は互いに助け合って生活しています。The two of them help each other in daily life.
In conversation more often お互いに.
おそらくprobably; very likelyAdverbN3
明日の会議は、おそらく中止になるでしょう。Tomorrow's meeting will very likely be called off.
A more formal たぶん.
ほぼalmost; nearlyAdverbN3
工事はほぼ終わりました。The building work is almost finished.
早速at once; straight awayAdverbN3
お土産をいただいたので、早速開けてみました。I was given a souvenir, so I opened it straight away.
一気にin one go; all at onceAdverbN3
喉が渇いていたので、水を一気に飲みました。I was thirsty, so I drank the water in one go.
もしかしたらperhaps; possiblyAdverbN3
もしかしたら、明日は行けないかもしれません。I might not be able to come tomorrow.
Usually ends in かもしれない.
一体on earth (in questions)AdverbN3
一体何があったんですか。What on earth happened?
割とfairly; relativelyAdverbN3
この店は駅から近いのに、割と静かです。This place is fairly quiet, even though it's close to the station.
Also 割に; conversational.
次々にone after anotherAdverbN3
新しいスマホが次々に発売されます。New smartphones come out one after another.
前もってin advance; beforehandAdverbN3
休むときは、前もって連絡してください。If you are going to be absent, please let us know in advance.
