TODAY’S WORD
たしかに
tashika ni
4 beats: ta-shi-ka-ni
たしか tashika = sure, certain ＋ に ni = -ly
“True.” “Fair point.”
A friend says, “With AI, you don’t need to study anymore.” Part of you agrees. Part of you doesn’t.
In Japanese, the most natural first word here is たしかに (tashika ni), “true.” You show that you heard the other person first. Then, if you see it differently, you add でも (demo), “but.”
Give your own opinion with たしかに〜。でも〜。
Read & Say | たしかに
たしかに has 4 beats. In Japanese, each beat takes the same length of time.
- し (shi) is often whispered: the “i” almost disappears, so it sounds close to “tash-ka-ni.” It still keeps its beat.
- Say it with a small nod. たしかに is as much a gesture as a word.
True… but?
Think first: When did you last want to say “True, but…” to someone? What was the topic?
Three ways to use たしかに
1. On its own — you agree.
たしかに！
Tashika ni!
True! / Good point!
2. With the point you agree with.
たしかに、便利だね。
Tashika ni, benri da ne.
True, it’s convenient.
3. With でも — you see it differently. Agree with one part first, then give your view. This is how many Japanese speakers disagree without sounding cold.
たしかに便利だね。でも、自分で考えたい。
Tashika ni benri da ne. Demo, jibun de kangaetai.
True, it’s convenient. But I want to think for myself.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| でも demo | but |
| いいね ii ne | sounds good |
| わかる wakaru | I get it / I know |
| そうかな sō ka na | hmm, I’m not so sure |
| 〜と思う … to omou | I think … |
たしかに in a conversation
AAIがあれば、もう勉強しなくていいよね。
AI ga areba, mō benkyō shinakute ii yo ne.
With AI, we don’t need to study anymore, right?
Bたしかに、便利だね。でも、自分で考える力も大事だと思う。
Tashika ni, benri da ne. Demo, jibun de kangaeru chikara mo daiji da to omou.
True, it’s convenient. But I think being able to think for yourself matters too.
Aたしかに。
Tashika ni.
Fair point.
Quiz | たしかに
Q1. How many beats are in たしかに?
Answer
b) 4 — た・し・か・に.
Q2. Your friend says something you fully agree with. What do you say?
Answer
a) たしかに！ (Tashika ni!) — “True!”
Q3. Fill in the blank: たしかに便利だね。（ ）、高いよ。
“True, it’s convenient. ( ), it’s expensive.”
Answer
でも (demo, “but”).
For or against: the formal words
FROM HIRAGANA TIMES
In a meeting or a debate, Japanese uses two formal words for taking a side: 賛成 (sansei, for) and 反対 (hantai, against). The November 2026 issue of Hiragana Times, a bilingual magazine published in Japan since 1986, sets out both sides on one question in its “Pros and Cons” page.
AIは人類の脅威か？
AI wa jinrui no kyōi ka?
Is AI a Threat to Humanity?
賛成：AIは人間の仕事を奪い、社会を混乱させる。
Sansei: AI wa ningen no shigoto o ubai, shakai o konran saseru.
Pros: AI takes away human jobs and throws society into confusion.
反対：AIは、恐れるより生かす道を考えるべきだ。
Hantai: AI wa, osoreru yori ikasu michi o kangaeru beki da.
Cons: Rather than fearing AI, we should think about how to put it to use.
| With friends | In a meeting |
|---|---|
| たしかに！ tashika ni — true! | 賛成です。 sansei desu — I agree. |
| たしかに。でも… tashika ni. demo… — true, but… | 反対です。 hantai desu — I disagree. |
Your Voice | たしかに… でも?
「AIは便利だ。」あなたは どう思いますか。
“AI wa benri da.” Anata wa dō omoimasu ka.
“AI is convenient.” What do you think?
- Start with たしかに、 and the part you agree with.
- Add でも、 and your own view.
- Read it aloud, then say it without looking.
たしかに、AIは便利です。でも、ときどき まちがえます。
Tashika ni, AI wa benri desu. Demo, tokidoki machigaemasu.
True, AI is convenient. But sometimes it gets things wrong.
Write your answer in the comments below — a We coach will reply.
Speak Your Language | Make たしかに yours
Practice is not the goal. The goal is to make たしかに your own word — and say what you really feel, in Japanese.
A new language gives you a new way to see the world, and a new self. Hiragana Times brings you real Japan every month, with English and Japanese side by side.
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