だいたい

だいたい
adverb
roughly, approximately
See also: 代替(だいたい) (substitution)
1. roughly, approximately, about
Used to indicate an approximate amount, time, or degree. Not exact but close enough.
だいたいわかった。
I roughly get it.
だいたい十(じゅう)人(にん)います。
There are about 10 people.
だいたい三十分(さんじゅっぷん)かかります。
It takes about 30 minutes.
駅(えき)から学校(がっこう)まで、だいたい十五分(じゅうごふん)です。
It's about 15 minutes from the station to the school.
毎日(まいにち)だいたい六時間(ろくじかん)寝(ね)ていますが、今日(きょう)は四時間(よじかん)しか寝(ね)られませんでした。
I usually sleep about six hours every day, but today I could only sleep four hours.
2. generally, mostly
For the most part, in general terms.
だいたいできた。
It's mostly done.
仕事(しごと)はだいたい終(お)わった。
The work is mostly finished.
だいたいの人(ひと)は知(し)っています。
Most people know about it.
だいたいの + noun = 'most ~'
部屋(へや)はだいたいきれいになりましたが、まだ少(すこ)しやることがあります。
The room is mostly clean now, but there's still a little left to do.
今日(きょう)話(はな)すことは、だいたい決(き)まりました。後(あと)は小(ちい)さいことだけです。
What we'll talk about today is mostly decided. Only small things remain.

だいたい is an adverb meaning 'roughly,' 'about,' or 'mostly.' Can be written as 大体(だいたい).

MEANINGS:
1. Approximately (with numbers/amounts): だいたい十人(じゅうにん) (about 10 people)
2. Generally/mostly (with verbs): だいたい終(お)わった (mostly finished)

USAGE AS MODIFIER:

だいたいの + noun = 'most ~' or 'a rough ~'

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 約(やく): approximately (more formal, used before numbers)
  • およそ: about, approximately
  • ほとんど: almost, nearly
  • 大体(だいたい): more casual and versatile

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

Related Words

Synonym: ざっと (roughly, quickly (cursory))
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:08 · Revised 2026.5.23 1:32
00500/00831_daitai