Translation guide
The English word 'decent' covers several distinct meanings: acceptable/good enough, morally proper, kind/respectable, and adequate in amount. Japanese uses different words and phrases for each. This guide breaks them down by intended meaning.
Expressing that something meets a basic standard, is satisfactory, or not bad.
The food was decent. · He's a decent player. · I got a decent score.
A very common, casual way to say something is 'so-so' or 'decent'. Can be used for quality, taste, performance, etc.
This restaurant is decent.
Similar to まあまあ, meaning 'passable' or 'decent'. Often used for skills or quantities.
Means 'tolerable' or 'not bad'. Slightly more formal than まあまあ.
Literally 'not bad'. A common understated way to say something is decent or pretty good.
This movie is decent.
Means 'proper' or 'decent' in the sense of being respectable or of acceptable quality. Often used for things like meals, jobs, or clothing.
Eat a decent meal.
Describing a person or behavior that is honest, fair, and follows social norms.
He's a decent human being. · That's not a decent way to behave. · She comes from a decent family.
Means 'sensible', 'decent', or 'respectable'. Often used for people, jobs, or behavior. Implies not being crazy or improper.
Describing someone who is nice, helpful, or fair in their actions.
It was decent of him to help. · She's a really decent person.
The standard word for 'kind' or 'nice'. When 'decent' means 'kind', this is the best fit.
Expressing that a quantity or size is sufficient or fairly large.
We made a decent profit. · There's a decent chance of rain. · He ate a decent amount.
Means 'considerable' or 'a decent amount of'. Used for quantities, distances, etc.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'decent'. Translating it as 適切な (tekisetsu na) or 妥当な (datou na) often sounds unnatural. Choose the option that matches your intended meaning.
These three are often interchangeable for 'decent' in the sense of 'proper', but have nuances: まとも emphasizes sanity/normalcy, ちゃんとした emphasizes meeting a standard, and きちんとした emphasizes neatness and correctness.
a decent/sane person
彼の英語はそこそこ通じる。
His English is decent enough to communicate.
試験の結果はまずまずだった。
The exam results were decent.
He's a decent person.
I'm looking for a decent job.
Means 'proper', 'neat', or 'decent'. Emphasizes correctness and orderliness. Used for people, appearance, or behavior.
Please come in decent attire.
Similar to きちんとした, meaning 'proper' or 'decent'. Often used for people, jobs, or things that meet a standard.
Marry a decent person.
Means 'sensible' or 'having good sense'. A more formal way to describe a decent, reasonable person.
He made a decent judgment.
He's a very decent person.
Means 'gentle' or 'kind'. Can be used when 'decent' implies warmth and kindness.
She said some decent words to me.
Means 'good-natured' or 'kind-hearted'. Used to describe someone who is fundamentally decent and kind.
He's a decent guy, so he's easy to ask favors of.
A decent number of people gathered.
Means 'considerable' or 'substantial'. Slightly more formal than かなりの.
He has a decent fortune.
Means 'quite a lot' or 'decent amount'. Can be used in casual and polite contexts.
It cost a decent amount of money.
When used before a noun, it means 'a decent' or 'a fair amount'. More casual.
I earn a decent salary.
ちゃんとしたレストラン
a proper/decent restaurant
a neat/decent appearance