Translation guide
This entry covers how to express that something is enough or adequate in Japanese. It includes common adjectives, verbs, and set phrases, organized by the nuance of sufficiency.
Expressing that an amount, level, or quality meets the requirement.
The most common and versatile word for 'sufficient' or 'enough'. Can be used as an adjective or adverb.
この量で十分です。
This amount is sufficient.
十分な睡眠をとってください。
Please get enough sleep.
A verb meaning 'to be enough' or 'to suffice', often used for quantities or needs.
Same pronunciation as 十分, but this spelling emphasizes 'to the fullest extent'. Often interchangeable, but 十分 is more common.
充分に注意してください。
Please be sufficiently careful.
Means 'to be in time' or 'to suffice for a purpose'. Used when something is enough to meet a deadline or requirement.
この資料で間に合いますか？
Will these materials be sufficient?
Expressing that something meets a minimum standard or is acceptable.
A common phrase meaning 'that's enough' or 'that will do'.
それで十分です。ありがとう。
That's sufficient. Thank you.
Often used to mean 'it's okay' or 'that's fine', implying sufficiency in casual contexts.
これで大丈夫ですか？
Is this sufficient? (lit. Is this okay?)
Can mean 'fine' or 'sufficient', but often used when refusing more of something. Can sound formal or polite.
Can also mean 'quite' or 'rather', so context is important.
Expressing that someone or something can function without external help.
Means 'self-sufficiency', often used for food or resources.
この村は食料を自給自足している。
This village is self-sufficient in food.
Means 'to be able to manage on one's own', implying self-sufficiency in life or work.
彼はもう一人でやっていける。
He can manage on his own now.
十分 (juubun) is an adjective/adverb meaning 'sufficient' or 'enough', while 足りる (tariru) is a verb meaning 'to be enough'. Use 十分 to describe a state, and 足りる to talk about whether a quantity meets a need.
十分な水があります。
There is sufficient water.
水が足りますか？
Is the water enough?
English 'sufficient' can sound formal. In casual Japanese, 十分 or 足りる are natural, but in very informal speech, 大丈夫 or いい often replace them. Overusing 充分 may sound stiff.
That's enough, thank you. (I've had sufficient.)