まともな

na-adjective

proper; decent; respectable

1. proper; decent; respectable; normal

Describes something or someone that meets ordinary standards of quality, behavior, or reasonableness. Often used to contrast with something deficient or abnormal.

まともな仕事(しごと)がしたい。

I want a proper job.

あの人(ひと)はまともな大人(おとな)だ。

That person is a decent adult.

まともに話(はな)し合(あ)えば、解決(かいけつ)できるはずだ。

If we talk it through properly, we should be able to resolve it.

2. direct; head-on; straight

Facing something directly or squarely without avoidance.

まともに目(め)を見(み)られない。

I can't look them straight in the eye.

台風(たいふう)をまともに受(う)けた。

We took the full brunt of the typhoon.

まともに相手(あいて)にしないほうがいい。

It's better not to deal with them seriously.

Usage

まとも is frequently used in everyday conversation to evaluate whether something meets a basic standard. It often carries an implied comparison: "compared to what is substandard." The adverbial form まともに is very common.

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)
まともに取(と)り合(あ)う (to take someone seriously)
まともに受(う)ける (to take the full force of)

Common patterns

As a na-adjective, まとも takes な before nouns and に as an adverb. The adverbial form まともに is especially frequent.

general

Added 2026.3.6 21:31 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

15000/15385_matomona