ただの (tadano)

Meaning & usage

ただの is placed directly before a noun to downplay it, meaning the noun is nothing more than an ordinary or plain example of its kind. It often appears when modestly denying importance, as in ただの大学教師でした, or in negatives like ただの学者ではない to suggest someone is more than ordinary.

Example sentences 4

1. 彼かれはただの隣人りんじんだと思おもっていたが、実じつは有名ゆうめいな作家さっかだった。

   I thought he was just a neighbor, but he was actually a famous writer.

2. これはただの風邪ですから、心配しないでください。

   It's just a cold, so please don't worry.

3. あの店はただの喫茶店かと思ったら、パンも焼いていた。

   I thought that place was just a coffee shop, but it turned out they bake bread too.

4. 彼女はただのアルバイトではなく、店の責任者だ。

   She isn't merely a part-timer; she's the manager of the store.