Quotes
Japanese meaning of まだまだだね。
— Ryoma Echizen ／ The Prince of Tennis
Reading:
Voice sample:
まだまだだね。 (Mada mada da ne.)
English Translation:
You've still got a ways to go.
Original Scene & Cultural Context
Scene in the Original Work:
Ryoma Echizen calmly uses this phrase to assert his superiority or point out that his opponent still needs improvement.
日本語で読む
越前リョーマが冷静に自分の優位性を示したり、相手の実力不足を指摘する際に使う決め台詞。
Cultural Context:
In Japanese competition contexts, subtle expressions of superiority or encouragement to improve are common and culturally acceptable. This phrase became iconic and widely used to tease someone gently about their skills.
日本語で読む
日本の競技やスポーツ文化では、優位性の表現や改善への促しを微妙なニュアンスで伝えることが一般的。このセリフは技能不足をやんわりと指摘する表現として広く使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
•「まだまだ」(mada mada) = still more to go, indicating continued insufficiency
•「だね」(da ne) = casual ending softening the criticism, making it sound gentle or matter-of-fact
•「だね」(da ne) = casual ending softening the criticism, making it sound gentle or matter-of-fact
日本語で読む
•「まだまだ」は十分でないことを示す繰り返し語• 語尾の「だね」は批判のトーンを和らげ、穏やかに伝える
Trap for English Speakers
Learners might interpret it as straightforward criticism. In Japanese, this phrase can be playful, gentle, or mildly teasing rather than purely critical.
日本語で読む
単なる批判と捉えがちだが、日本語では穏やかなニュアンスや軽い冗談を含む柔らかい表現として使われる。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
後輩が勝負を挑んできてあっさり負けたときに。「まだまだだね。」
“You still have a long way to go.” (to a junior who challenged you and lost)
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「まだまだだね。」 mean?