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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. なんくるないさ

    なんくるないさ

    なんくるないさ

    This Okinawan phrase means 'everything will be okay.' It means things will work out if you try your best.

    KMT8CasualSlangDiscourse MarkerMixedOkinawaOkinawa Particles And ExpressionsGrammar

    なんくるないさPrimary

    This Okinawan phrase means 'everything will be okay.' It means things will work out if you try your best.

    「試し験けんに落おちちゃった…もうだめだ。」「大だい丈じょう夫ぶだよ。なんくるないさ。次つぎ頑がん張ばればいいさー。」

    "I failed the test... It's over." "It's okay. Nankurunaisa. Just try your best next time."

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingEmphaticEducationEmotions & Psychology
    プロジェクトが間まに合あうか心しん配ぱいで眠ねむれない。なんくるないさ、って思おもいたいけど…。

    I'm so worried about whether the project will be done on time that I can't sleep. I want to believe 'nankurunaisa', but...

    CasualNon PastNegativeMid SentenceDesireWork & CareerEmotions & Psychology
    あの時ときは本ほん当とうに大たい変へんだったけど、今いま思おもえば「なんくるないさ」の精せい神しんで乗のり越こえられたんだと思おもう。

    It was really tough back then, but looking back, I think I was able to get through it with the 'nankurunaisa' spirit.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeMid SentenceDeclarativeEmotions & PsychologyDaily Life
    「台たい風ふうが来きてるけど、大だい丈じょう夫ぶかねぇ?」「ははは、なんくるないさ!沖おき縄なわの台たい風ふうは慣なれっこさー。」

    "A typhoon is coming, will we be okay?" "Hahaha, nankurunaisa! We're used to typhoons in Okinawa."

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeClause InitialEmphaticTravel & TransportationWeather & Geography
    財さい布ふをなくした?まあ、なんくるないさ。きっと見みつかるよ。

    You lost your wallet? Well, nankurunaisa. I'm sure it'll turn up.

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingConjecturalDaily Life

    This phrase is like saying 'it will be okay'. But it is special to Okinawa. It means more than just 'daijoubu' or 'nantoka naru'. It shows a strong spirit. It is not like 'akisamiyoo'. That word shows surprise. This phrase helps you feel calm and hopeful.

    Watch out: Many people think this just means 'everything will be okay'. But it's part of a longer saying. The full meaning is: 'If you do good things, everything will be okay'. It means you should try your best. Then, good things will happen.

    Use this when you want to tell someone not to worry. It means things will be okay. You can say it to yourself too. It helps you feel hopeful.

    Contrasts with(2)

    はいさい / はいたい

    This is how people say "hello" in Okinawa. Men say "haisai". Women say "haitai". It is like saying "hi" in English.

    〜や (okinawan copula)

    This word means 'is' in Okinawan. You use it to say that something is something else.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    contrasts_with

    • はいさい / はいたい
    • 〜や (okinawan copula)

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