Translation guide
Expresses a tendency or likelihood, often with a negative connotation. In Japanese, this is conveyed through various grammatical patterns and adverbs rather than a single word.
Describing someone or something that has a tendency to do something, often implying it is a characteristic or habit.
Attaches to the masu-stem of verbs or nouns to indicate a tendency, often negative. Implies something happens often or is prone to happen.
彼は遅刻しがちだ。
He is apt to be late.
この天気では病気になりがちだ。
In this weather, one is apt to get sick.
Indicating that something is likely to happen based on circumstances or nature.
Attaches to the masu-stem of verbs to mean 'could easily happen', 'apt to happen', often with a negative outcome. Stronger than 〜がちだ.
そんなことを言うと、彼を傷つけかねない。
Saying that is apt to hurt him.
〜がち focuses on frequency and habitual tendencies, often negative. 〜やすい indicates ease or propensity, neutral in tone. 〜かねない expresses a stronger possibility of a negative outcome, implying 'could easily lead to'. Choose based on the degree of likelihood and connotation.
冬は風邪をひきがちだ。
In winter, I tend to catch colds. (habitual)
このナイフは錆びやすい。
This knife rusts easily. (propensity)
そんな運転では事故を起こしかねない。
Driving like that could easily cause an accident. (risk)
Attaches to the masu-stem of verbs to mean 'easy to do' or 'apt to happen'. More neutral than 〜がちだ, and can be used for both positive and negative tendencies.
このガラスは割れやすい。
This glass is apt to break.
彼は誤解されやすい。
He is apt to be misunderstood.
Adverb meaning 'apt to', 'tending to', often used with 〜がち or 〜やすい. Somewhat literary.
とかく人の噂は当てにならない。
Rumors are apt to be unreliable.
At this rate, an accident is apt to occur.
Formal expression meaning 'there is a risk/danger that', used for negative possibilities. Often in news or official contexts.
大雨で洪水の恐れがある。
Heavy rain is apt to cause flooding.
Indicates an undesirable tendency, often used in critical or formal contexts. Attaches to dictionary form of verbs or nouns with の.
彼は物事を大げさに言うきらいがある。
He is apt to exaggerate things.
There is no single Japanese word that directly translates 'apt to'. Using a dictionary form alone will not convey the meaning. Always use a grammatical pattern or adverb to express tendency or likelihood.
There is no single Japanese word that directly translates 'apt to'. Using a dictionary form alone will not convey the meaning. Always use a grammatical pattern or adverb to express tendency or likelihood.