Meaning & usage
たかが shows the speaker considers something small or unimportant, meaning nothing more than or only that amount. It is an adverb placed directly before a noun or a quantity expression, as in たかが風邪 or たかが三日, with no change to the following word. It often carries a dismissive or scolding tone, so it can sound belittling when used about another person's concerns.
Example sentences 8
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たかがコーヒー、されどコーヒーよ。
It's just coffee, but it's still coffee.
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日本中で格差社会の論議があるが、世界をみればこの程度の格差などたかが知れてる。
There's a debate about social disparity throughout Japan, but if you look at the world, this level of disparity is negligible.
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たかが風邪だと思っていた。
I thought it was just a cold.
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たかがゲームに本気になるな。
Don't get so serious over just a game.
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たかが三日で諦めるのか。
Are you giving up after only three days?
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たかが失敗でくよくよするな。
Don't brood over a mere failure.
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たかが部下に注意できない。
He can't even scold a mere subordinate.
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たかが一回で上手くいくか。
Do you think it will work after just one try?
