Translation guide
The English adverb 'properly' covers a range of meanings from 'correctly' and 'in the right way' to 'thoroughly' and 'appropriately'. Japanese uses different expressions depending on the nuance.
To do something in the correct manner, following rules or standards.
A very common and versatile adverb meaning 'properly', 'correctly', or 'diligently'. Used in everyday speech for doing things as they should be done.
Do your homework properly.
He apologized properly.
Similar to ちゃんと but slightly more formal and often implies neatness or precision. Used for doing things neatly and correctly.
Means 'correctly' or 'rightly'. Emphasizes factual correctness or moral rightness.
Means 'appropriately' or 'suitably'. Used when something is done in a way that fits the situation.
They dealt with the problem properly.
To do something fully, without cutting corners.
Also used for doing something thoroughly. Context distinguishes from 'correctly'.
To behave or dress according to social norms or expectations.
To describe that a machine or system works as it should.
Means 'normally' or 'properly' for machines and systems.
These three adverbs overlap but have different nuances. ちゃんと is the most general and casual, meaning 'properly' in a broad sense. きちんと implies neatness, precision, and formality. しっかり implies firmness, steadiness, and thoroughness. For example, ちゃんと食べる means to eat properly (not skip meals), きちんと食べる means to eat neatly (with good manners), and しっかり食べる means to eat heartily or enough.
Eat properly (don't skip meals).
きちんと片付けてください。
Please tidy up properly.
He explained it properly.
名前を正しく書いてください。
Please write your name correctly.
ちゃんと掃除した。
I cleaned properly (thoroughly).
Means 'firmly', 'steadily', or 'thoroughly'. Implies doing something with effort and care.
Study properly (hard).
I checked the locks properly.
Means 'sufficiently' or 'enough'. Used when something is done to an adequate degree.
Please heat it properly (sufficiently).
Often used for dressing neatly or behaving politely.
Please come dressed properly.
Can be used for behaving properly, but less formal than きちんと.
Greet properly.
Means 'politely' or 'with good manners'. Emphasizes courteous behavior.
Behave properly (politely).
The air conditioner isn't working properly.
Colloquially used for things working properly.
The computer isn't working properly.
Also used for proper functioning, often with a nuance of precision.
The clock is working properly.
Eat properly (with good manners).
Eat properly (enough to be full).
Avoid directly translating 'properly' as 適当に (てきとうに) which means 'roughly' or 'randomly', or 妥当に (だとうに) which means 'validly' but is rarely used as an adverb. These do not convey the intended meaning of 'properly' in most contexts.