ずいぶん

• Reading: ずいぶん
• Romaji: zuibun
• Pronunciation: /zɯ.i.bɯɴ/

Meaning

Extremely; very much; considerably; awfully. Indicates a degree that is more than expected.

An adverb expressing a strong degree, often carrying a nuance of surprise or unexpectedness. Slightly more emphatic than なかなか and とても. Can sound mildly critical depending on context. The kanji 随分 exists but hiragana is standard in everyday writing.

Examples

1. 今日はずいぶん寒いですね。 It's awfully cold today, isn't it?
2. ずいぶん長い時間待たされました。 I was kept waiting for a really long time.
3. 日本語がずいぶん上手になりましたね。 Your Japanese has gotten so much better!

Usage Guide

Context: surprise, impressions, weather

Tone: emphatic

Origin & History

Written in kanji as 随分, combining 随 (zui, follow/as one pleases) and 分 (bun, portion/degree). Originally meant 'as much as one wants' — the sense of excess evolved into the modern meaning of 'extremely.'

Cultural Context

Era: Early Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal