Stop! だいたい Is Not The Same As たいてい: How to Figure
Did you think “だいたい” and “たいてい” are the same meaning? Actually, they are quite similar, however, the nuance of them is pretty different. After reading this, You would be able to figure out what the difference between them is. Let me introduce how you correctly use “だいたい” and “たいてい” today!
だいたい / たいてい (daitai/taitei)
About / Mostly
“だいたい and たいてい” means “About and Mostly” and which have been using when people expect something. Although basically they are the same meaning, they have a little bit different that is a possibility of them and people have the data, knowledge, or experience about their expectations. For instance, ”日本人はだいたい寿司が好き(Most Japanese people like SUSHI.)” and ”日本人はたいてい寿司が好き(Most Japanese people like SUSHI.)” which is exactly the same meaning. However, native Japanese speakers think a person who said ”日本人はたいてい寿司が好き(Most Japanese people like SUSHI.)” have the data, knowledge, and experience about their expectation instead of ”日本人はだいたい寿司が好き(Most Japanese people like SUSHI.)”. So, “たいてい” is the pretty stronger word than “だいたい”, that’s why the possibility of “だいたい” would be 70-80% and “たいてい” would be 80-90%. In this case, you won’t be able to “たいてい”: “この会場にはだいたい何人の人が来ていますか?(About how many people came to this venue?)” Because you don’t have the data about it, that’s why you asked. Even though mostly “たいてい” and “だいたい” are interchangeable with each other, some cases are not like this. Additionally, the possibility-wise, “だいたい我慢できる(Mostly I’ll be able to control myself.)” which the possibility would be 70-80% and “たいてい我慢できる(Mostly I’ll be able to control myself.)” would be 80-90%.







Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced




![]() |
![]() |