Meaning and Usage
"正しい" (ただしい) means "correct" or "right" and is used to describe something that is accurate, proper, or morally right. It is a common adjective in everyday conversation and writing.
Common Contexts
You will often see "正しい" used when talking about answers, methods, behavior, or information that is considered accurate or appropriate.
Collocations and Patterns
- 正しい答え (ただしいこたえ): correct answer — used in tests or quizzes.
- 正しい方法 (ただしいほうほう): correct method — used when describing the proper way to do something.
- 正しい使い方 (ただしいつかいかた): correct usage — often used for language, tools, or devices.
Register and Politeness
"正しい" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is often combined with polite forms when speaking respectfully.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "正しい" with "正確" (せいかく), which also means "accurate" but is more about precision or exactness. "正しい" focuses more on correctness or appropriateness rather than numerical precision.