まとも
まとも
adjective (na)
proper, decent, respectable
1.
proper, decent, respectable, legitimate
Describes something or someone that meets normal standards of propriety, quality, or legitimacy.
まともな仕事がしたい。
I want a decent job.
あの人はまともじゃない。
That person isn't right in the head.
まともな大人なら、そんなことはしない。
A respectable adult wouldn't do something like that.
2.
straight, direct, head-on
Facing something directly without evasion or indirection.
まともに答えてくれ。
Give me a straight answer.
太陽をまともに見てはいけない。
You must not look directly at the sun.
まともにぶつかったら勝てないから、作戦を考えよう。
We can't win in a head-on confrontation, so let's think of a strategy.
FORMS:
- Adverbial: まともに (directly, properly)
- Predicate: まともだ / まともな + noun
USAGE:
Sense 1 is very common in everyday conversation. Often used in negative contexts: まともじゃない (not right, not normal), まともに働けない (can't work properly). Sense 2 is used as the adverbial form まともに.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- まともな生活: a decent life
- まともな食事: a proper meal
- まともに話す: to talk seriously
- まともに受ける: to take head-on