Japanese Grammar Bank

HOW TO SAY FOR NOW IN JAPANESE

There are several ways to express the phrase “for now” in Japanese, depending on the context and the intended meaning. 

We’ll have a look at several ways to express this meaning, and how to build sentences with it.

FOR NOW IN JAPANESE WITH 今のところ

今のところ ima no tokoro

The phrase 今のところ literally means “at this moment” or “at this point in time”.

It can also be used to express the idea of “for now” or “for the time being.”

It is usually placed at the very beginning of a sentence:

PATTERN

今のところ + Sentence

JAPANESEROMAJIENGLISH
今のところ、天気は良いです。Ima no tokoro, tenki wa ii desu.Right now, the weather is good.
今のところ、彼はまだ来ていません。Ima no tokoro, kare wa mada kite imasen.For now, he hasn’t come yet.
今のところ、予定は変更されていません。Ima no tokoro, yotei wa henkou sarete imasen.For now, the plan hasn’t been changed.
View More Examples:
JAPANESEROMAJIENGLISH
今のところ、私たちは問題なく進んでいます。Ima no tokoro, watashitachi wa mondai naku susunde imasu.For now, we are progressing smoothly without any problems.
今のところ、問題が発生していません。Ima no tokoro, mondai ga hassei shite imasen.At this point in time, no problems have occurred.
今のところ、何も計画していません。Ima no tokoro, nanimo keikaku shite imasen.For now, I haven’t planned anything.
今のところ、私たちは何も食べていません。Ima no tokoro, watashitachi wa nanimo tabete imasen.For the time being, we haven’t eaten anything.
今のところ、彼女は元気そうです。Ima no tokoro, kanojo wa genki sou desu.For now, she seems to be doing well.
今のところ、私たちは成功していません。Ima no tokoro, watashitachi wa seikou shite imasen.For now, we haven’t succeeded.
今のところ、会議は予定通り進んでいます。Ima no tokoro, kaigi wa yotei doori susunde imasu.At this moment, the meeting is progressing as planned.

FOR NOW IN JAPANESE WITH しばらくは

しばらくは shibaraku wa

The phrase しばらくは is a polite way to say, “for a while” or “for a period of time”.

Once again, you place it at the beginning:

PATTERN

しばらくは + Sentence

JAPANESEROMAJIENGLISH
しばらくは静かにしていてください。Shibaraku wa shizuka ni shite ite kudasai.Please be quiet for now.
しばらくは何も言わないでください。Shibaraku wa nani mo iwanaide kudasai.Please don’t say anything for now.
しばらくはこのままでいいです。Shibaraku wa kono mama de ii desu.It’s fine for now to stay like this.
View More Examples:
JAPANESEROMAJIENGLISH
しばらくは待ってくれますか？Shibaraku wa matte kuremasu ka?Can you wait for now?
しばらくは様子を見ましょう。Shibaraku wa yousu wo mimashou.Let’s observe the situation for now.
しばらくは我慢してください。Shibaraku wa gaman shite kudasai.Please be patient for now.
しばらくは休憩しましょう。Shibaraku wa kyuukei shimashou.Let’s take a break for now.
しばらくはこの問題に集中しましょう。Shibaraku wa kono mondai ni shuuchuu shimashou.Let’s focus on this problem for now.
しばらくは何もしなくてもいいです。Shibaraku wa nani mo shinakute mo ii desu.It’s okay to not do anything for now.
しばらくは予定通りに進めましょう。Shibaraku wa yotei doori ni susumemashou.Let’s proceed as planned for now.

FOR NOW IN JAPANESE WITH とりあえず

とりあえず toriaezu

Best for last! とりあえず is an incredibly native-sounding way to express “for now”.

Its use can be difficult at times because it can be used in many ways, but if you use it like the example sentences below, you’ll be sure to blow minds.

It’s often used to express a temporary idea or solution before a better one can be found.

PATTERN

とりあえず + Sentence

JAPANESEROMAJIENGLISH
とりあえず、これで落ち着きましょう。Toriaezu, kore de ochitsukimashou.For now, let’s settle with this.
とりあえず、食べ物を用意しましょう。Toriaezu, tabemono wo youi shimashou.For now, let’s prepare some food.
とりあえず、明日までにレポートを書き上げましょう。Toriaezu, ashita made ni repooto wo kakiagemashou.For now, let’s finish writing the report by tomorrow.
View More Examples:
japaneseromajienglish
とりあえず、ここで待ちましょう。Toriaezu, koko de machimashou.For now, let’s wait here.
とりあえず、このプランで進めましょう。Toriaezu, kono puran de susumemashou.For now, let’s proceed with this plan.
とりあえず、彼女に謝りましょう。Toriaezu, kanojo ni ayamarimashou.For now, let’s apologize to her.
とりあえず、問題を放っておいて時間をおいてから考えましょう。Toriaezu, mondai wo hotte oite jikan wo oite kara kangaemashou.For now, let’s put the problem aside and think about it later.
とりあえず、この案件に関してはもう少し調査が必要です。Toriaezu, kono anken ni kanshite wa mou sukoshi chousa ga hitsuyou desu.For now, we need to investigate a little more about this matter.
とりあえず、彼に連絡してみましょう。Toriaezu, kare ni renraku shite mimashou.For now, let’s try to contact him.
とりあえず、この本を読み終えてから次に進みましょう。Toriaezu, kono hon wo yomioete kara tsugi ni susumimashou.For now, let’s finish reading this book before moving on to the next one.

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FAQs

How do you say at this moment in Japanese?

The phrase 今のところ literally means “at this moment” or “at this point in time”.

It can also be used to express the idea of “for now” or “for the time being.”

It is usually placed at the very beginning of a sentence:

今のところ、天気は良いです。

Ima no tokoro, tenki wa ii desu.

Right now, the weather is good.

今のところ、彼はまだ来ていません。

Ima no tokoro, kare wa mada kite imasen.

For now, he hasn’t come yet.

How do you say for now in Japanese?

とりあえず is an incredibly native-sounding way to express “for now”.

Its use can be difficult at times because it can be used in many ways, but if you use it like the example sentences below, you’ll be sure to blow minds.

It’s often used to express a temporary idea or solution before a better one can be found.

とりあえず、これで落ち着きましょう。

Toriaezu, kore de ochitsukimashou.

For now, let’s settle with this.

とりあえず、食べ物を用意しましょう。

Toriaezu, tabemono wo youi shimashou.

For now, let’s prepare some food.

とりあえず、ここで待ちましょう。

Toriaezu, koko de machimashou.

For now, let’s wait here.

How do you say although in Japanese?

The conjunctions けれども (formal) and けど (formal and informal) are like “although” and are used to indicate a contrast between two ideas or situations.

Both けれども and けど can be used in both spoken and written Japanese.

To use けれども and けど you can just add it to verbs and i-adjectives.

HOWEVER || You need to add だ after nouns and na-adjectives before you add it to them.

Example:

雨が降っていたけれども、散歩に行きました。

Ame ga futte ita keredomo, sanpo ni ikimashita.

Although it was raining, I still went for a walk.

How do you say after all in Japanese?

he Japanese expression for “after all” is それでもやはり (soredemo yahari).

This phrase is used to indicate that something is still true or relevant even after considering other factors.

You can use it in a variety of contexts, such as when you are expressing surprise, confirming a fact, or emphasising a point.

Place this word at the beginning of the second part of your sentence:

彼女は忙しい人だけど、それでもやはり私たちと会ってくれた。

Kanojo wa isogashii hito dakedo, soredemo yahari watashitachi to atte kureta.

She’s a busy person, but after all, she still met with us.

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