Nothing much new
Conversation phrases, Stage 1chunk 28 of 68Small talk
Answer 'how are you' when life is just ticking along.
- toku ni nanimo nai yonothing much, really; nothing in particular
- aikawarazu da yosame as ever; nothing much new
- bochibochiso-so; getting by; not bad
- kawari naino change; all well, same as ever
- nantoka yatterugetting by; hanging in there
Mix-ups kawari nai (nothing's changed) vs kawaranai (won't change).
toku ni nanimo nai yo
polite toku ni nanimo nai desu
nothing much, really; nothing in particular
The usual answer to 'anything new?' or 'any plans?' when nothing is going on.
Can be cut to toku ni; betsu ni on its own can sound curt.
saikin? toku ni nanimo nai yo. itsumo doori.
Lately? Nothing much. Same as usual.
最近？特に何もないよ。いつも通り。
saikin desu ka? toku ni nanimo nai desu. itsumo doori desu.
Lately? Nothing much. Same as always.
最近ですか？特に何もないです。いつも通りです。
Written 特に何もないよ · とくになにもないよ · 特に何もないですWho you say itHeard 6× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
aikawarazu da yo
polite aikawarazu desu
same as ever; nothing much new
Answer to choushi dou? or saikin dou? when nothing has changed.
Also says someone hasn't changed, often teasing: aikawarazu da ne (you haven't changed a bit).
un, aikawarazu da yo. shigoto bakkari.
Yeah, same as ever. All work.
うん、相変わらずだよ。仕事ばっかり。
hai, aikawarazu desu. shigoto bakari de.
Yes, same as ever. Just work.
はい、相変わらずです。仕事ばかりで。
Written 相変わらずだよ · あいかわらずだよ · 相変わらずですWho you say itHeard 219× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
bochibochi
polite bochibochi desu
so-so; getting by; not bad
Modest answer to how's it going or how's business; strongly Kansai but understood everywhere.
Also means 'about time, little by little': bochibochi kaerou ka (shall we head home soon?).
shigoto? maa, bochibochi da ne.
Work? Oh, getting by.
仕事？まあ、ぼちぼちだね。
shigoto desu ka? maa, bochibochi desu.
Work? Oh, getting by.
仕事ですか？まあ、ぼちぼちです。
Written ぼちぼち · ぼちぼちですWho you say it and hear itHeard 18× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
kawari nai
polite okawari arimasen ka
no change; all well, same as ever
As a question it asks if all is well since you last met; as an answer it means nothing new, all fine.
A common answer is un, aikawarazu (yeah, same as ever).
hisashiburi da ne. kawari nai?
Long time no see. All good?
久しぶりだね。変わりない？
ohisashiburi desu. okawari arimasen ka?
It's been a while. Is everything well with you?
お久しぶりです。お変わりありませんか？
Written 変わりない · かわりない · お変わりありませんかWho you say it and hear itHeard 64× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
nantoka yatteru
polite nantoka yatte imasu
getting by; hanging in there
Answer to how's it going when things are tough but okay; sounds modest and a bit tired.
Nantoka means 'somehow'; nantoka naru (it'll work out somehow) is a common pair.
shigoto wa taihen da kedo, nantoka yatteru yo.
Work's tough, but I'm getting by.
仕事は大変だけど、なんとかやってるよ。
shigoto wa taihen desu kedo, nantoka yatte imasu.
Work's tough, but I'm getting by.
仕事は大変ですけど、なんとかやっています。
Written なんとかやってる · なんとかやっていますWho you say itHeard 11× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles