まとも

na-adjective

proper, decent, respectable

evaluation

1. proper, decent, respectable, legitimate

Describes something or someone that meets normal standards of propriety, quality, or legitimacy.

まともな仕事(しごと)がしたい。

I want a decent job.

あの人(ひと)はまともじゃない。

That person isn't right in the head.

まともな大人(おとな)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(こた)えてくれ。

Give me a straight answer.

太陽(たいよう)をまともに見(み)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(か)てないから、作戦(さくせん)を考(かんが)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(はたら)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(せいかつ): a decent life
まともな食事(しょくじ): a proper meal
まともに話(はな)す: to talk seriously
まともに受(う)ける: to take head-on

general

Added 2026.2.8 8:54 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

10500/10507_matomo