「～だいたい」- Approximately

Explanation

Grammar: Plain form + だいたい
「～だいたい」 is used to express approximate time, quantity, or range. It is often used when asking or describing uncertain time points.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
だいたい	+ Plain form	Used to express approximate time, quantity, or range. Often used when asking or describing uncertain time points.

Basic Usage

だいたい is commonly used to indicate approximate time. Here are some examples:

• 今いま何時なんじだいたい？
• Ima nanji daitai?
• What time is it approximately now?

In this sentence, 「今何時だいたい」 is used to ask for the approximate current time.

Examples

• 仕事しごとは何時なんじだいたい終おわりますか。
• Shigoto wa nanji daitai owarimasu ka?
• Approximately what time does work end?
  

• 映画えいがは何時なんじだいたい始はじまりますか。
• Eiga wa nanji daitai hajimarimasu ka?
• Approximately what time does the movie start?
  

Deep Dive

だいたい can not only express approximate time but also quantity, range, or situations. For example:

• 彼かれはだいたい30歳さんじゅっさいくらい。
• Kare wa daitai 30-sai kurai.
• He is approximately 30 years old.

In this example, だいたい is used to indicate the approximate age range.

Real-Life Scenarios

In daily life, だいたい can be used in the following situations:

• Asking about a scheduled time:
  • 今いま何時なんじだいたいですか。
  • Ima nanji daitai desu ka?
  • What time is it approximately now?
    
• Asking about the end time of an activity:
  • 休憩きゅうけいは何時なんじだいたい終おわりますか。
  • Kyūkei wa nanji daitai owarimasu ka?
  • Approximately what time does the break end?
    

Summary

「～だいたい」 is an important Japanese expression primarily used to indicate approximate time, quantity, or range. By understanding its usage, you can apply this expression more flexibly in everyday conversations.