When learning Japanese, you probably start with simple words like 今いま (now), 明日あした (tomorrow), and 来週らいしゅう (next week). But Japanese has many subtle time expressions that don’t translate neatly into English. These words and phrases add nuance to everyday conversations—helping you sound natural, polite, and precise.

Let’s explore some of the most useful ones!

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1. 早はやめに – “A little earlier / Sooner than usual”

This phrase suggests doing something earlier than expected—often as a polite or cautious recommendation.

Example:
早はやめに来きてください。
Please come a little earlier.

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2. 遅おそくとも – “At the latest”

Used to set a firm deadline. It emphasizes that something must happen no later than a certain time.

Example:
遅おそくとも5時じまでに来きてください。
Please come by 5 o’clock at the latest.

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3. 今いまにも – “At any moment”

Describes something that feels like it’s just about to happen.

Example:
空そらが暗くらくなって、今いまにも雨あめが降ふりそうだ。
The sky is dark—it looks like it’s going to rain at any moment.

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4. たった今いま – “Just now”

Refers to something that literally just happened.

Example:
彼かれはたった今帰いまかえったところです。
He just went home.

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5. そのうち – “Soon / Eventually (but not immediately)”

A vague way to say something will happen “sometime,” often casually among friends.

Example:
そのうち遊あそびに行いきましょう。
Let’s hang out sometime.

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6. いずれ – “Someday / Sooner or later”

A slightly more formal cousin of そのうち, used when talking about the future with some certainty.

Example:
いずれ分わかるでしょう。
You’ll understand someday.

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7. しばらく – “For a while / In a little while”

This flexible word can mean both “for some time” and “in a short while,” depending on context.

Example:
しばらくここで待まっていてください。
Please wait here for a while.

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8. ついに – “Finally / At last”

Used when something long-awaited or difficult has finally happened.

Example:
ついに夢ゆめがかなった。
My dream finally came true.

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9. やがて – “Before long / Eventually”

Refers to something that will happen in the near future, often naturally or inevitably.

Example:
やがて春はるが来くる。
Spring will come before long.

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10. ずっと – “For a long time / Continuously”

This word can mean all the time without stopping or for a long duration. It’s also used for comparisons (“much more”).

Example:
彼かれをずっと待まっていた。
I had been waiting for him for a long time.

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Final Thoughts

Japanese time expressions are more than just vocabulary—they reflect nuance and perspective. Saying 早はやめに instead of simply 早はやく makes your speech softer and more considerate. Using そのうち instead of giving a fixed time makes your promise sound casual (and maybe a little vague!).

By mastering phrases like 遅おそくとも, 今いまにも, and ずっと, you’ll be able to express not just when something happens, but how it feels in time.

👉 Next time you talk about plans, waiting, or future hopes in Japanese, try slipping in one of these expressions—you’ll sound much more natural!.

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