絶対

• 読み: ぜったい
• ローマ字: zettai
• 漢字の分解: 絶 (zetsu) — sever, cut off; 対 (tai) — opposite, pair
• 発音: /zet.taː/

意味

Absolutely; definitely; without fail. Expresses complete certainty or an unbreakable commitment.

An extremely common adverb that adds absolute emphasis to both positive and negative statements. With に (絶対に), it strengthens commands and promises. Also functions as a na-adjective (絶対的な, absolute) and noun (絶対の自信, absolute confidence). Used far more broadly in spoken Japanese than its English equivalent.

例文

1. 明日は絶対に遅刻しないでください。
2. この映画は絶対に見たほうがいい。
3. 約束は絶対に守る。

使い方ガイド

場面: promises, recommendations, emphasis

トーン: emphatic

起源と歴史

Sino-Japanese compound of 絶 (zetsu, to sever/cut off) and 対 (tai, opposite/pair). Together they express 'severing all alternatives' — leaving only one possibility. The antonym is 相対 (soutai, relative).

文化的背景

時代: Modern

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal