Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
To go out of one’s way; specially; deliberately (implying extra effort or trouble)
🎯 Primary Function
To emphasize that an action was taken specifically for a particular purpose, often involving inconvenience or extra effort for the person doing it. It is frequently used to express gratitude or apology related to this effort.
📋 Grammar Structure
わざわざ + [Verb] (Functions as an adverb)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal settings to express sincere gratitude or apology for someone making a special effort.
Informal Situations
Commonly used in casual conversation to express thanks or mild surprise/concern about someone’s effort.
Written Language
Often seen in thank-you letters or formal communication to show deep appreciation.
Spoken Language
Very frequently used in daily conversations.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing Gratitude
Used to thank someone for doing something that required them to go out of their way or make a special effort.
Example: 遠いのに、わざわざ来てくれてありがとう。 (Tōi noni, wazawaza kite kurete arigatou.) – Thank you for coming all the way, even though it was far.
Expressing Apology
Used to apologize for causing someone to make a special effort or be inconvenienced.
Example: 私のために、わざわざすみません。 (Watashi no tame ni, wazawaza sumimasen.) – I’m sorry for making you go out of your way for me.
Highlighting Special Action
Used to point out that an action was done specifically for a reason or person, emphasizing the deliberateness and often the effort involved.
Example: 休みの日に、わざわざ会社に来なければならなかった。 (Yasumi no hi ni, wazawaza kaisha ni konakereba naranakatta.) – I had to specifically come to the office on my day off.
Frequency
High (Very common in daily communication)
Difficulty
Intermediate (N3 – Understanding the nuance of “extra effort/inconvenience” is key.)
Example Sentences
お忙しいところ、わざわざお越しいただきありがとうございます。
Thank you for specifically coming here despite your busy schedule.
彼の誕生日のために、母がわざわざケーキを焼いてくれた。
My mother specially baked a cake for his birthday.
そんなこと、わざわざ言わなくてもよかったのに。
You didn’t have to go out of your way to say something like that.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Focus on Extra Effort/Inconvenience
The core meaning of わざわざ is that the action involved effort, time, or inconvenience that wasn’t strictly required. It highlights this effort.
Example: 近くにいたならいいけど、遠いのにわざわざ来てもらうのは気が引ける。 (Chikaku ni ita nara ii kedo, tōi noni wazawaza kite morau no wa ki ga hikeru.) – If you were nearby it would be fine, but I feel bad having you come all the way from far.
Expressing Consideration
Using わざわざ shows that the speaker recognizes and appreciates (or regrets causing) the effort the other person made.
Example: A: これ、お土産です。(Kore, omiyage desu.) – This is a souvenir.
B: え、わざわざすみません！ありがとうございます！(E, wazawaza sumimasen! Arigatou gozaimasu!) – Oh, you went out of your way! Thank you very much!
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it for actions that required no special effort.
✅ Only use わざわざ when the action genuinely involved extra time, distance, cost, or inconvenience.
If someone lives next door and just handed you something, saying わざわざすみません would sound unnatural or sarcastic, as it didn’t require them to go out of their way.
❌ undefined
✅ undefined
undefined
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Generally adds a layer of politeness and consideration by acknowledging the other person’s effort.
Social Situations: Frequently used in social interactions involving favors, gifts, visits, or any situation where someone makes an effort for another.
Regional Variations: Widely used across Japan, no significant regional variations in core meaning.
🔍 Subtle Differences
わざわざ vs. 特に (toku ni)
わざわざ emphasizes the *effort or inconvenience* involved in doing something *specifically* for a reason/person. 特に means “especially,” highlighting something as *particular* or *outstanding* among others, without necessarily implying extra effort.
When to use: Use わざわざ when the effort is the focus. Use 特に when the speciality/particularity is the focus.
わざわざ vs. あえて (aete)
わざわざ focuses on the *effort/inconvenience* made *for a specific purpose or person*. あえて means “dare to” or “intentionally,” often doing something *despite* difficulty, opposition, or doing something *unusual* or *boldly*.
When to use: Use わざわざ for actions involving effort for someone/something. Use あえて for actions done deliberately despite reasons not to, or against the norm.
undefined
undefined
When to use: undefined
📝 Conjugation Notes
As an adverb, わざわざ does not conjugate. It modifies verbs.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced “wah-zah-wah-zah”. Pay attention to the short “a” sounds.
🧠 Memory Tips
Imagine someone traveling a long distance just for you. That “going the extra mile” feeling is わざわざ.
Practice Exercises
友達が急な誘いにも関わらず、駆けつけてくれた。この友達の行動に対して感謝の気持ちを表すなら、どのように言いますか？
何もせずに来てくれた。
わざわざ来てくれた。
いつものように来てくれた。
特に来てくれた。
仕事でミスをしてしまい、上司が休みの日に__来て対応してくれた。
きっと
いつも
わざわざ
たぶん
4 Views
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.