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〜的

-ic, -ical; in terms of

Noun + 的 + な (adjective) / に (adverb)

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的 turns a noun, usually a Chinese-origin one, into a な-adjective: 経済 (economy) → 経済的な (economic, economical); 伝統 (tradition) → 伝統的な (traditional).

With に, it makes an adverb meaning "in terms of" or "-ally": 技術的に難しい, "technically difficult"; 個人的には, "personally speaking".

Some words only really live with 的: 積極的 (proactive), 具体的 (concrete), 基本的 (basic). And some nouns can't take it at all, so learn the combinations as you meet them.

In casual speech, young people stick 的 onto almost anything, including pronouns: 私的には, "for me". It's jokey slang, not textbook use.

Examples

  • 経済けいざい的てきな理由りゆうで、大学だいがくをやめた。

    I left university for financial reasons.

  • この問題もんだいは、技術ぎじゅつ的てきには難むずかしくない。

    Technically, this problem isn't difficult.

  • 彼かれはとても積極せっきょく的てきな人ひとだ。

    He's a very proactive person.

  • 個人こじん的てきには、この映画えいが好がすきです。

    Personally, I like this film.

  • 日本にほんの伝統でんとう的てきな家いえに泊とまった。

    I stayed in a traditional Japanese house.

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