noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Describes something that is not special, just the normal or everyday kind. Often used in phrases like ただの人 (an ordinary person) or ただの風邪 (just a common cold).
彼はただの会社員じゃない。
He's not just an ordinary office worker.
それはただの噂だよ。
That's just a rumor.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Means something costs nothing. Very common in everyday speech, e.g., ただで (for free).
このアプリはただで使えます。
You can use this app for free.
ただより高いものはない。
Nothing is more expensive than something free. (proverb)
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Used in set expressions like ただでは済まない (won't get away with it) or ただでは起きない (won't take it lying down). Implies that a situation will not end without consequences or change.
彼を怒らせたらただでは済まないよ。
If you make him angry, you won't get away with it.
あの失敗はただでは起きなかった。
That failure didn't happen without reason.
adverb
Adverbial use meaning 'nothing more than'. Often interchangeable with だけ, but ただ can sound slightly more emphatic or literary. Common in ただ～だけ patterns.
ただ君に会いたかっただけだ。
I just wanted to see you.
それはただの言い訳に過ぎない。
That's nothing more than an excuse.
conjunction
Conjunction used to introduce a contrasting statement. Often appears as ただ or ただし. Slightly formal; in casual speech でも or けど are more common.
この計画は良い。ただ、費用がかかりすぎる。
This plan is good. However, it costs too much.
参加は自由です。ただ、事前に申し込んでください。
Participation is free. However, please apply in advance.
Kanji form for the noun/adjectival senses 'ordinary, free, unaffected'. Less common than kana.
Kanji form specifically for the conjunction 'but, however'. Rare in modern writing; kana is preferred.
Rare kanji variant for 'only, merely'. Not recommended for learners.
Rare kanji variant for 'ordinary, usual'. Not recommended for learners.
無料 is a more formal term for 'free of charge', often used in official contexts. ただ is casual and everyday.
だけ is a particle meaning 'only' and attaches to nouns. ただ is an adverb that often pairs with だけ for emphasis.
ただし is a more common conjunction for 'but, however' in modern Japanese. ただ as a conjunction is slightly more literary.
The word ただ is of native Japanese origin. Its various meanings (ordinary, free, only, but) developed from a core sense of 'just, merely, nothing more'. The kanji forms are later assignments based on meaning, not etymological origins.