How to say "definite" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 確実かくじつna-adjective, nounCovers 'definite' as certain to happen or achievable without fail: a sure thing, a reliable result or method. The emphasis falls on dependability of the outcome rather than clarity of expression.
- 明確めいかくna-adjectiveCovers 'definite' in the sense of clear-cut and explicit: a definite answer, statement, or distinction that leaves no vagueness. Choose this when the point is precision of expression, not certainty of an outcome.
- 定かさだかna-adjective, nounMatched to 'definite; sure', yet in practice it is met chiefly in the negative, meaning 'not certain' or 'unclear'; for an affirmative 'definite' it is seldom the word you want.
- 確かたしかna-adjectiveCovers 'sure; certain; positive': something you can be confident of because there is solid ground for it, such as clear evidence or information. Contrast 確実, which stresses a guaranteed, failure-free outcome.
- 決定的けっていてきna-adjectiveCovers 'definite' as final, decisive, or conclusive: evidence that settles a question, a decisive factor or moment. Choose it when definiteness means the matter is settled, not merely stated clearly.
For a definite answer that is clear and explicit choose 明確; for something certain to happen or reliable choose 確実; for certainty grounded in evidence choose 「確か」; for final, decisive, conclusive definiteness choose 決定的; 「定か」 is chiefly negative.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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