Translation and Meaning of: 主に - omoni

If you are learning Japanese, you have probably come across the word 主に [おもに]. It is a common adverb in the language, but its meaning and usage can create doubts for beginner students. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, its origin, translation, and how it is used in everyday Japanese. Additionally, we will see tips for memorizing it and curiosities that can help in your learning.

Meaning and translation of 主に: mainly.

主に [おもに] is an adverb that means "mainly" or "predominantly." It is used to indicate that something occurs predominantly or that an action focuses on a specific aspect. For example, if someone says "主に東京で働いています," they are stating that they mainly work in Tokyo.

An interesting characteristic of this word is that it does not carry emotional or subjective nuances. It simply highlights the predominance of something, making it useful in both informal conversations and more formal contexts.

Origin and writing in kanji

The word 主に is composed of the kanji 主 (shu, omo), which means "main" or "master," followed by the particle に. This kanji appears in other terms such as 主人 (shujin - master, husband) and 主役 (shuyaku - main role), reinforcing the idea of something central or more important.

It is worth noting that, although the kanji 主 is essential for understanding the meaning of the word, many Japanese people also write おもに in hiragana in their daily lives. This happens because adverbs are often represented in kana to facilitate reading, especially in informal texts.

How to use 主に in daily life

This adverb often appears in descriptions of routine, preferences, and professional activities. For example, when saying "主に日本語を勉強しています," you are communicating that you primarily study Japanese, perhaps in contrast to other languages or subjects.

An important detail is that 主に generally comes before the verb or the action being modified. This position helps to clarify from the beginning of the sentence what the main focus of that information is. This structure is different from Portuguese, where "principalmente" can appear in various positions in the sentence.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to reinforce 主に is to associate the kanji 主 with something main or dominant. Think of expressions like "the master (主) of a house primarily (主に) decides what will be done." This mental connection helps to remember both the meaning and the usage of the word.

According to the Suki Nihongo dictionary, 主に is among the 3,000 most used terms in everyday Japanese. This means it's worth dedicating time to learn it, as you will definitely encounter it in texts, conversations, and even TV shows.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

大部分に (daibubun ni) - For the most part, largely
大抵に (taitei ni) - generally, most of the time
大半に (taihan ni) - For the most part, in the majority
大部に (daibu ni) - Largely, considerably
大概に (taigai ni) - In general, generally speaking
大多数に (daitasuu ni) - For most people, the majority
大方に (oohou ni) - For the most part
大部分として (daibubun toshite) - Like most, in terms of a large part
一般的に (ippan-teki ni) - In general, generally speaking
たいていは (taiteiwa) - Usually, generally
通常は (tsuujou wa) - Normally, under normal conditions
一般に (ippan ni) - In general, usually
一般的に言えば (ippan-teki ni ieba) - In general terms, if we speak in general terms
一般に言って (ippan ni itte) - If we speak in general terms
一般には (ippan ni wa) - Generally, usually
普通に (futsuu ni) - Normally, in a normal way
普通は (futsuu wa) - Normally, most of the time
普通に言えば (futsuu ni ieba) - If we speak normally
普通に言って (futsuu ni itte) - Saying normally
普通には (futsuu ni wa) - Normally, under normal conditions
通例は (tsuurei wa) - Generally, as a rule of thumb
通例として (tsuurei toshite) - As a regular example, usually
通例に (tsuurei ni) - Usually, frequently
通例的に (tsuurei-teki ni) - Typically, usually
通常通りに (tsuujou doori ni) - As usual, as is customary
通常の (tsuujou no) - Normal, comum
通常のように (tsuujou no you ni) - As usual, in the usual way
通常の場合に (tsuujou no baai ni) - Under normal circumstances, in normal conditions
通常の状況下では (tsuujou no joukyouka de wa) - In normal situations, under normal conditions
通常のやり方 (tsuujou no yarikata) - Usual way of doing, normal manner