ただに

た

だ

に

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Used to emphasize that something is nothing more than what is stated; often carries a nuance of 'just' or 'no more than'. Common in negative contexts or when downplaying something.

それはただに噂うわさに過すぎない。
That is merely a rumor.
彼かれはただに驚おどろいただけだ。
He was simply surprised.

Kanji

唯solely, only, merely
啻incomparable, merely
只only, free, in addition

Related words

ただ
ただ is more common and versatile, meaning 'only', 'just', or 'free of charge'. ただに is an adverbial form used in more literary or emphatic contexts.
単たんに
単に also means 'merely' or 'simply', but is more formal and often used in written language or logical arguments.

Written forms

唯ただに
Rare kanji spelling; the character 唯 is more commonly read ゆい or used in compounds.
啻ただに
Very rare kanji spelling; 啻 is not a jōyō kanji and is seldom used.
只ただに
Rare kanji spelling; 只 is more commonly seen in the word ただ (free of charge).

Etymology

Derived from the noun/adverb ただ (only, just) with the adverbial particle に. The kanji forms are ateji and rarely used.