Meaning & usage
ただ is an adverb meaning merely or nothing more than, used to limit something to one action, quality, or identity while often implying a reservation like but or however. It comes before verbs, adjectives, and whole phrases, as in ただ泣く or ただ甘かった, and becomes ただの before nouns, as in ただの友達. It often pairs with だけ, ばかり, or に過ぎない to strengthen the sense of limitation. It is neutral in register and common in both speech and writing.
Example sentences 8
-
彼女はその知らせを聞いてただ泣くばかりだった。
She did nothing but weep at the news.
-
男はただ大きく育った子供に過ぎない。
Men are but children of a larger growth.
-
私はただパンを一口食べただけだ。
I only took a bite of bread.
-
アイスは美味しくも不味くもなく、ただ甘かった。
The ice cream was neither good nor bad. It was just sweet.
-
ただの紙切れです。
It's just a piece of paper.
-
ただ楽しめばいいんだよ。
Just enjoy it.
-
アレックスは連れ合いじゃないですよ。ただの友達です。
Alex isn't my partner. They're just a friend.
-
君はただ彼が来るのを待ちさえすればよい。
All you have to do is wait for his arrival.
