たった

たった
adverb
only; just; merely
1. only; just; merely; no more than
Emphasizes that something is limited to a small amount, short time, or few items. Often conveys surprise or disappointment at how small or few something is.
たった百円(ひゃくえん)で買(か)えた。
I was able to buy it for just 100 yen.
たった一人(ひとり)で全部(ぜんぶ)やった。
I did it all by myself alone.
[Note: たった一人 = all alone, just one person]
会議(かいぎ)はたった十分(じゅっぷん)で終(お)わった。
The meeting ended in just ten minutes.
たった三日(みっか)で日本語(にほんご)を覚(おぼ)えるのは無理(むり)だ。
It's impossible to learn Japanese in just three days.
彼(かれ)はたった二年(にねん)で会社(かいしゃ)を大(おお)きくして、今(いま)では百人(ひゃくにん)の社員(しゃいん)がいる。
He grew the company in just two years, and now it has a hundred employees.

WRITING: Usually written in hiragana. Can be written as 唯(ただ) but this is rare.

USAGE: Emphasizes smallness of quantity, time, or number. Often expresses:

  • Surprise at how little/few
  • Loneliness or isolation (たった一人)
  • Quick completion (たった〜で)

PATTERNS:

  • たった + number/counter
  • たった今(いま) (just now)
  • たった一(ひと)つ (only one)
  • たった一人(ひとり) (all alone)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ただ (only, just - less emphatic)
  • わずか (only, merely - more formal)
  • ほんの (just, only a little)
  • 僅(わず)か (only, merely)

Related Words

Related: ただ (only (less emphatic))
core
Added 2026.1.13 19:53 · Revised 2026.2.12 8:55
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