How to say "positive" in Japanese

• 確かたしかJLPT N4approx.Common
  na-adjectiveCovers 'positive' meaning sure or certain, as in positive proof or positive identification; it expresses confidence that something is true, not an optimistic outlook.
  彼かれが間違まちがっているのは確たしかです。↗

  It is certain that he is wrong.
• ポジティブCommon
  na-adjectiveThe loanword for the attitude sense: positive thinking, a positive person or outlook. This is the natural choice when 'positive' means optimistic.
• 積極せっきょくCommon
  prenominal modifierCovers 'positive' in the sense of active and proactive: a positive approach or attitude, taking action rather than holding back. It is about energetic engagement more than optimism.
• 陽性ようせいCommon
  no-adjectiveThe word for a positive result, as when a medical test comes back positive or a patient tests positive for a condition. It does not describe attitudes or optimism.
  ツベルクリン反応はんのうは陽性ようせいでした。↗

  The result of the tuberculin test was positive.
• 陽ようCommon
  no-adjectiveRefers to the positive principle, yang, in the yin-yang framework; it does not cover positive results, optimistic attitudes, or certainty.

Use 「ポジティブ」 for an optimistic attitude, 積極 for a proactive, active stance, 陽性 for positive test results, 「確か」 for positive meaning certain, and 陽 for the positive principle of yin-yang.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 確かたしかsure
• ポジティブpositive (e.g. thinking)
• 積極せっきょくactive
• 陽性ようせいpositive (result)
• 陽よう(the) positive
• 積極的せっきょくてきpositive
• 実証的じっしょうてきempirical
• ポジpositive
• 陽画ようがpositive
• 確然かくぜんdefinite
• ノリがいいgood at playing along
• 意欲的いよくてきkeen
• プラスpositive (number)
• 前向きまえむきforward-looking
• 前のめりまえのめりproactive
• 正せいpositive