The adverbs that make a statement more exact, more formal or more pointed.
Several of these adverbs are sharper or more formal versions of words you already have: 極めて is a formal とても, 再び a formal また, 直ちに the すぐに of notices and instructions. A few only work with a negative after them — 到底, 一概に — and the sentence sounds unfinished without one, much as English “in the least” needs a “not” to lean on. Many are usually written in kana, and the list shows them that way.
The words
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Adverb (40)
一層even more; all the moreAdverbN2
雨が降り出して、風も一層強くなった。It started to rain, and the wind grew even stronger.
A formal もっと; often より一層.
依然としてstill; as beforeAdverbN2
事故の原因は依然として分かっていない。The cause of the accident is still unknown.
Of a situation that has not changed when it might have; news language.
主にmainly; mostlyAdverbN3
この店の客は主に近所の学生だ。The customers of this shop are mainly local students.
およそabout; roughlyAdverbN2
駅から会場までは、歩いておよそ20分です。From the station to the venue is roughly twenty minutes on foot.
A formal だいたい; usually written in kana.
改めてagain; anew; formallyAdverbN2
詳しいことは、後日改めてご連絡いたします。We will contact you again with the details at a later date.
あくまでto the last; strictly, onlyAdverbN2
これはあくまで私個人の意見です。This is strictly my own personal opinion.
Also あくまでも.
極めてextremelyAdverbN2
今回の事故は極めて珍しいケースだ。This accident is an extremely rare case.
いわばso to speak; as it wereAdverbN2
祖母の店は、いわば町の居間のような場所だった。My grandmother’s shop was, so to speak, the town’s living room.
要するにin short; in a wordAdverbN2
要するに、予算が足りないということですね。In short, you are saying the budget is not enough.
むしろrather; if anythingAdverbN3
休みの日は出かけるより、むしろ家で本を読みたい。On my days off I would rather read at home than go out.
直ちにimmediately; at onceAdverbN2
警報が出たら、直ちに高台へ避難してください。If a warning is issued, go to high ground immediately.
The すぐに of notices, rules and announcements.
あらかじめin advance; beforehandAdverbN2
参加を希望する方は、あらかじめお申し込みください。Those who wish to take part are asked to apply in advance.
Written in kana as a rule.
たちまちin no time; instantlyAdverbN2
新商品はたちまち売り切れた。The new product sold out in no time.
いずれsooner or later; some dayAdverbN2
いずれ分かることだから、今話しておく。You will find out sooner or later, so I will tell you now.
As a pronoun it means “which” or “either”: いずれの場合も, in either case.
とっくにlong ago; alreadyAdverbN3
電車はとっくに出てしまった。The train left long ago.
既にalreadyAdverbN3
会場に着いたときには、会議は既に始まっていた。By the time I reached the venue, the meeting had already started.
A written もう; also often in kana.
かつてonce; formerlyAdverbN2
この町にはかつて大きな城があった。There was once a large castle in this town.
Usually in kana.
単にmerely; simplyAdverbN2
それは単に運が良かっただけだ。That was simply luck.
果たしてreally (I wonder); as expectedAdverbN2
果たしてこの計画はうまくいくのだろうか。Will this plan really work, I wonder?
With a question it doubts; in a statement it confirms a prediction.
一斉にall at once; simultaneouslyAdverbN2
合図とともに、選手たちは一斉に走り出した。At the signal, the runners all set off at once.
徐々にgradually; little by littleAdverbN2
薬を飲んでから、痛みが徐々に引いてきた。Since I took the medicine, the pain has gradually eased.
Close to 次第に; 徐々に stresses small, steady steps.
再びagain; once moreAdverbN2
一度閉店した店が、再び営業を始めた。The shop that had closed has opened again.
いまだにstill; even nowAdverbN2
あの日のことは、いまだに忘れられない。I still cannot forget that day.
Suggests that by now it might have been expected to change; usually in kana.
常にalways; constantlyAdverbN3
運転中は常に周りに注意しなければならない。When driving you must always pay attention to your surroundings.
A written いつも.
一向に(not) in the least; (not) at allAdverbN2
何度薬を飲んでも、咳が一向に治らない。However much medicine I take, my cough shows no sign of getting better.
With a negative: nothing has moved at all.
大いにgreatly; very muchAdverbN2
今回の経験は、将来大いに役に立つだろう。This experience will surely be of great use in the future.
あえてdeliberately; dare toAdverbN2
反対する人が多い中、彼はあえて自分の考えを述べた。With many against it, he deliberately spoke his own mind.
Doing something although there is a reason not to.
何しろafter all; at any rateAdverbN2
何しろ初めての経験なので、分からないことばかりだ。It is my first time, after all, so there is a lot I do not know.
ひたすらsingle-mindedly; nothing butAdverbN2
試験の前の一週間は、ひたすら勉強した。In the week before the exam I did nothing but study.
いかにもtruly; just like; as ifAdverbN2
彼はいかにも楽しそうに話していた。He was talking with every sign of enjoying himself.
とりわけparticularly; above allAdverbN2
今年の夏はとりわけ暑かった。This summer was particularly hot.
ひとまずfor now; for the time beingAdverbN2
熱が下がったので、ひとまず安心した。My fever has gone down, so for now I am relieved.
つくづくdeeply; thoroughly (felt)AdverbN2
病気をして、健康の大切さをつくづく感じた。Being ill made me realise deeply how precious health is.
共にtogether; bothAdverbN2
家族と共に新しい年を迎えた。I saw in the new year together with my family.
A formal 一緒に.
専らmostly; exclusivelyAdverbN2
休日は専ら家で映画を見ている。On my days off I mostly just watch films at home.
到底(not) by any means; utterlyAdverbN2
この量の仕事を一日で終えるのは到底無理だ。Finishing this much work in one day is utterly impossible.
Only with a negative or with 無理.
一概にacross the board; without exceptionAdverbN2
安い物が悪いとは一概に言えない。You cannot say across the board that cheap things are bad.
Almost always with 言えない.
なおさらall the more; even more soAdverbN2
やめろと言われると、なおさらやりたくなる。Being told to stop makes you want to do it all the more.
相当considerably; quiteAdverbN2
彼は相当疲れているようだ。He seems to be very tired.
Also a noun and a na-adjective: 相当な金額, a considerable sum.
いっそrather; might as wellAdverbN2
こんなに待つなら、いっそタクシーで行こうか。If we have to wait this long, why not just take a taxi?
Choosing a bold option over an unsatisfying one.
This list belongs to Thinking and arguing — seven lists and 281 words that can also be practised as a whole.
Practise this list
Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.