彼はただの会社員じゃない。
He's not just an ordinary office worker.
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).
You can use this app for free.
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.
If you make him angry, you won't get away with it.
That failure didn't happen without reason.
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.
I just wanted to see you.
That's nothing more than an excuse.
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.
This plan is good. However, it costs too much.
Participation is free. However, please apply in advance.
I don't think he's just an ordinary person.
This app can be used for free.
If you make a mistake like this, it won't just blow over.
I just silently watched, nothing more.
The food was delicious. However, it was a bit expensive.
That's just a common cold, so you don't need to worry.
ただし is the standard modern conjunction for 'but, however', whereas ただ used this way sounds slightly more literary or formal.
単なる is a pre-noun modifier meaning 'mere,' while ただ is a versatile word (often adverbial) that can express the same 'just/only' nuance in more casual speech.
ただ is written almost the same and can also mean 'however/only', but ただし specifically marks a formal exception or condition attached to a rule or statement.
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.