ちゃんと
Properly, Neatly, Orderly, Sufficiently, Decently
Structure
ちゃんと(1) + した + Noun
ちゃんと(1) + している
(1) きちんと
Explanation
In the Japanese language, there are two common 副詞 (adverbs), ちゃんと and きちんと, which share a very similar meaning. They can be placed at the start of a sentence to affect the entire clause, or directly preceding a verb. Both ちゃんと and きちんと can be translated as 'properly' or 'correctly'.
- ちゃんと薬を飲んだ？Did you take your medicine properly?
- ちゃんと歯をみがきなさい！Brush your teeth properly!
- 次はもっとちゃんとした仕事を探そう。Next time, I'll look for a more decent job.
- 大事な会議ですから、きちんとした服で来てください。This is an important meeting, so please come in appropriate attire.
Fun Fact
In the past, ちゃんと could also mean 'quickly', although this usage is now considered archaic in modern Japanese. Nevertheless, a subtle nuance of completing an action 'without dawdling' or 'promptly' remains in both ちゃんと and きちんと. This is likely because the core meaning of 'properly' naturally suggests that a task is done with diligence and not idly.
- 先生が見てるよ。ちゃんと座りなさい。The teacher is watching. Sit up properly!
- 寝る前にきちんとおもちゃを片付けなさい。Properly put away your toys before you go to bed.
Examples
医者：「薬は毎日ちゃんと飲んでくださいね。」
Doctor: 'Please make sure to take your medicine properly every day.'
会社員の会話：「うちの部長は、いつもきちんとした格好をしている。」
Conversation between office workers: 'Our department manager is always neatly dressed.'
先生が生徒に：「問題をちゃんと最後まで読んでから答えてください。」
A teacher to a student: 'Please read the questions thoroughly to the very end before you answer.'
お母さん：「歯、ちゃんと磨いたの？」
子供：「うん、磨いたよ！」
Mother: 'Did you brush your teeth properly?'
Child: 'Yep, I brushed them!'
会社を辞める人が同僚に：「会社を辞めるのには、ちゃんとした理由があるんです。」
Someone quitting their job, speaking to a colleague: 'I have a proper (valid) reason for quitting the company.'
図書館員：「読み終わった本は、きちんと元の場所に戻してください。」
Librarian: 'When you are finished reading, please put the books back neatly in their original place.'
先生が教室で：「みなさん、先生の話をちゃんと聞いてください。」
A teacher in a classroom: 'Everyone, please listen attentively to what I'm saying.' (properly)
A：「なんで怒ってるの？」
B：「後でちゃんと説明するから、今は聞かないで。」
A: 'Why are you angry?'
B: 'I'll explain it properly later, so please don't ask me now.'
お祖父ちゃんが孫に：「会った人には、ちゃんと挨拶しなさい。」
A grandfather to his grandchild: 'You should greet people properly when you meet them.'
大家が店子に：「家賃は毎月ちゃんと払ってくださいね。」
A landlord to a tenant: 'Please make sure you pay the rent properly every month.' (on time)
妻が夫に：「出かける前に、ドアの鍵をちゃんとかけたか確認して。」
A wife to her husband: 'Before we leave, check that you properly locked the door.'
A：「このレストラン、どう？」
B：「うん、ちゃんとした料理が出てくるから好きだよ。」
A: 'What do you think of this restaurant?'
B: 'Yeah, I like it because they serve proper (decent) food.'