Hello, I’m Kodak.
Japanese has many short time expressions that appear constantly in daily conversation:
I have been studying for a long time.
もう終わった。
I already finished.
まだ終わっていない。
I have not finished yet.
そろそろ始めよう。
It is about time to begin.
時々勉強する。
I study sometimes.
Japanese time expressions become much easier when you organize them by what part of time the speaker is looking at.
A state or action continues across a period.
もう・まだ
The speaker checks whether a change has happened yet.
そろそろ
The suitable or expected time for the next action is approaching.
時々
An event happens on separate occasions, with gaps between them.
This article explains these expressions as four different ways of viewing time:
② Completion and continuing states — もう・まだ
③ An approaching transition — そろそろ
④ Frequency and repetition — 時々
Japanese Time Expressions: The Quick Guide
for a long time / all along / continuously / always
Core image: one unbroken line
もう (mō)
already / no longer / not anymore
Core image: the change point has been crossed
まだ (mada)
still / not yet
Core image: the earlier state continues because the change has not happened
そろそろ (sorosoro)
soon / it is about time to…
Core image: the appropriate moment is approaching
時々 (tokidoki)
sometimes / from time to time
Core image: separate dots appearing along a timeline
ずっと ⇒ How long does it continue?
もう・まだ ⇒ Has the change happened?
そろそろ ⇒ Is it becoming the right time to act?
時々 ⇒ How often does it happen?
Four Ways Japanese Describes Time
1. Duration: How Long Does a State Continue?
I have loved Japanese since I was a child.
The feeling begins in the past and continues to the present.
2. Change: Has the New State Arrived?
I already ate.
⇒ The eating point has been crossed.
まだ食べていない。
I have not eaten yet.
⇒ The eating point has not been crossed.
3. Transition: Is It Becoming Time to Act?
It is already eleven, so it is about time to go to bed.
The speaker judges that bedtime is becoming appropriate.
4. Frequency: On How Many Occasions Does It Happen?
I sometimes watch movies on weekends.
The activity occurs on some weekends, with weekends when it does not happen.
ずっと: Expressing Duration and Continuation
ずっと (zutto) is used when an action or state continues across a period of time.
Starting point
↓
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
the same state continues
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
↓
Reference point
朝からずっと雨が降っている。
Asa kara zutto ame ga futte iru.
It has been raining since this morning.
昨日はずっと家にいた。
Kinō wa zutto ie ni ita.
I was home all day yesterday.
これからもずっと応援します。
Kore kara mo zutto ōen shimasu.
I will continue supporting you from now on.
ずっと contributes the same basic idea each time: the line continues through the relevant period.
Common Patterns with ずっと
continuously since a starting point
ずっと + Vている
have been doing / keep doing
ずっと + Vてきた
have continued doing up to now
これからもずっと
continuously from now on
ずっと + negative
the absence continues throughout the period
高校のころからずっと彼を知っています。
Kōkō no koro kara zutto kare o shitte imasu.
I have known him since high school.
卒業してからずっと会っていない。
Sotsugyō shite kara zutto atte inai.
We have not met since graduation.
ずっと Does Not Always Equal “Always”
この歌がずっと好きです。
I have always loved this song.
⇒ ずっと is natural.
Repeated habit:
朝はいつもコーヒーを飲みます。
I always drink coffee in the morning.
⇒ いつも is natural.
いつも is usually the same event or condition appearing as the normal repeated pattern.
Read the full guide: Zutto Meaning — How to Use ずっと for Continuing Time
もう and まだ: Expressing Change, Completion, “Still,” and “Not Yet”
もう (mō) and まだ (mada) show the speaker’s position relative to an expected change.
まだ終わっていない。
It has not finished yet.
↓
━━━━━━━━ completion point ━━━━━━━━
↓
After the change
もう終わった。
It has already finished.
The Four Basic Patterns
already
もう + negative
no longer / not anymore
まだ + affirmative
still
まだ + negative
not yet
もう昼ごはんを食べました。
Mō hirugohan o tabemashita.
I have already eaten lunch.
彼はまだ食べています。
Kare wa mada tabete imasu.
He is still eating.
私はまだ食べていません。
Watashi wa mada tabete imasen.
I have not eaten yet.
もう食べません。
Mō tabemasen.
I will not eat anymore.
もう食べた ⇒ the “not eaten” stage is over.
もう食べない ⇒ the “eating” stage or habit is over.
The positive or negative predicate determines the English translation.
How to Ask “Have You Done It Yet?”
Have you done your homework yet?
B: はい、もうしました。
Yes, I already did it.
B: いいえ、まだです。
No, not yet.
English normally expresses the neutral question as “Have you done it yet?”
もうない vs まだない
There is no more / It no longer exists.
⇒ It existed before, but that state ended.
まだない。
It is not there yet.
⇒ Its existence is expected or possible later.
Read the full comparison: Mou vs Mada — How to Use もう and まだ
そろそろ: Expressing an Approaching Time or Transition
そろそろ (sorosoro) is used when the suitable or expected time for an action or change is approaching.
──────────────
the situation gradually develops
──────────────
the next action is becoming appropriate
↓
leave / begin / sleep / decide / prepare
そろそろ帰ろう。
Sorosoro kaerō.
It is about time to go home.
そろそろ会議を始めましょう。
Sorosoro kaigi o hajimemashō.
Let’s begin the meeting.
そろそろ寝ないと。
Sorosoro nenai to.
I need to go to bed soon.
そろそろ often includes the speaker’s judgment that the circumstances now make an action natural or necessary.
It can therefore translate as “soon,” “it is about time,” or “we should probably.”
Essential Patterns with そろそろ
そろそろ帰ろう。
Let’s head home / I think I’ll go home.
そろそろ + Vましょう
そろそろ始めましょう。
Let’s begin.
そろそろ + Vないと
そろそろ準備しないと。
I need to start getting ready.
そろそろ時間です
It is almost time / Our time is nearly up.
そろそろ vs もうすぐ vs すぐ
The appropriate or expected stage is approaching.
もうすぐ
The event is close in time.
すぐ
Immediately / right away / with very little delay.
電車はもうすぐ来ます。
The train will arrive soon.
⇒ The arrival is close in time.
そろそろ駅に向かいましょう。
It is about time we headed to the station.
⇒ The speaker judges that leaving is becoming appropriate.
すぐ駅に来てください。
Please come to the station immediately.
⇒ Immediate action is requested.
Read the full guide: Sorosoro Meaning — How to Use そろそろ and そろそろ～しよう
時々: Expressing Frequency
時々 (tokidoki) means that an event happens on some occasions, with intervals when it does not happen.
● event
— gap —
● event
— gap —
● event
Separate occurrences with intervals
⇒ 時々
週末は時々料理をします。
Shūmatsu wa tokidoki ryōri o shimasu.
I sometimes cook on weekends.
この電車は時々遅れます。
Kono densha wa tokidoki okuremasu.
This train is sometimes late.
時々、昔のことを思い出します。
Tokidoki, mukashi no koto o omoidasu.
From time to time, I remember the past.
The actual number depends on the activity and the time frame. Travelling abroad “sometimes” may mean once a year, while checking email “sometimes” may mean several times a day.
Basic Frequency Scale
always / normally
↓
たいてい
usually / in most cases
↓
よく
often
↓
時々
sometimes
↓
たまに
once in a while
↓
あまり～ない
not often
↓
めったに～ない
rarely / hardly ever
Neutral 時々 is a safe beginner choice for “sometimes.”
Sometimes vs Sometime
時々日本に行きます。
I sometimes go to Japan.
⇒ repeated occasional visits
sometime
いつか日本に行きたい。
I want to go to Japan sometime.
⇒ one unspecified future occasion
Read the full guide: Tokidoki Meaning — How to Use 時々 for Frequency
Compare the Four Expressions in One Situation
Imagine a person studying Japanese.
I have been studying Japanese for a long time.
⇒ Duration: the study continues across a period.
もう宿題を終えた。
I already finished the homework.
⇒ Completion: the finishing point has been crossed.
まだ宿題を終えていない。
I have not finished the homework yet.
⇒ Non-completion: the finishing point has not been crossed.
そろそろ勉強を始めよう。
It is about time to start studying.
⇒ Transition: the appropriate starting time is approaching.
週末は時々日本語を勉強する。
I sometimes study Japanese on weekends.
⇒ Frequency: the study happens on some occasions.
a line, a boundary, an approaching stage, or repeated points.
How to Say Common English Time Expressions in Japanese
“For a Long Time”
Emphasizes continuity through the period.
長い間
Explicitly says the duration itself is long.
しばらく
for a while; a limited period whose length depends on context
ずっと待っていました。
I have been waiting the whole time / for a long time.
長い間待っていました。
I waited for a long time.
ここでしばらく待ってください。
Please wait here for a while.
“Already”
The standard conversational choice.
すでに
already; more formal, objective, or written.
もう確認しました。
I already checked.
申請はすでに受理されています。
The application has already been accepted.
“Still”
The current state remains true at the reference point.
ずっと
The speaker emphasizes the duration across the whole period.
彼はまだ寝ている。
He is still sleeping.
⇒ He has not woken up yet.
彼は朝からずっと寝ている。
He has been sleeping continuously since morning.
⇒ Focus on the full duration.
“Not Yet”
まだ来ていない。
They have not arrived yet.
“No Longer” or “Not Anymore”
もうここには住んでいない。
I no longer live here.
“Soon”
The appropriate stage is approaching.
もうすぐ
The event is close in time.
すぐ
Immediately or with little delay.
まもなく
Shortly; common in formal announcements.
やがて
Before long / eventually; common in narration and writing.
“Sometimes”
Neutral “sometimes.”
たまに
Once in a while; often less frequent or more conversational.
時には
At times; often highlights an exceptional case.
ずっと vs まだ: Both Can Translate as “Still”
He is still working.
⇒ The expected change—stopping work—has not happened.
彼は朝からずっと働いている。
He has been working continuously since morning.
⇒ The work fills the whole period.
彼は朝からずっと働いていて、まだ帰っていない。
He has been working since morning and still has not gone home.
ずっと describes the long work period; まだ marks the uncompleted departure.
そろそろ vs もう: Approaching a Boundary vs Crossing It
It is almost twelve.
⇒ The time boundary is approaching.
もう十二時です。
It is already twelve.
⇒ The time boundary has been reached.
そろそろ春ですね。
Spring is approaching / It is almost spring.
もう春ですね。
It is already spring.
時々 vs ずっと: Repetition vs Continuation
It rained from time to time.
⇒ Rain appeared, stopped, and appeared again.
ずっと雨が降っていた。
It rained continuously.
⇒ The rainy state continued through the period.
時々 vs そろそろ: Frequency vs Timing
I get my hair cut sometimes.
⇒ Frequency: on some occasions.
そろそろ髪を切りたい。
I want to get my hair cut soon / It is about time for a haircut.
⇒ Timing: the next haircut is becoming appropriate.
Japanese Frequency Adverbs
Frequency expressions are an important subgroup of Japanese time expressions.
たいてい — usually / in most cases
よく — often
時々 — sometimes
たまに — once in a while
あまり～ない — not often
めったに～ない — rarely
ほとんど～ない — hardly ever
全然～ない — not at all
Frequency Words Do Not Have Fixed Percentages
Real speakers choose a word based on the activity, the comparison, the time frame, and their own expectation. There is no universal percentage for everyday 時々.
Negative Frequency Patterns
あまりテレビを見ません。
I do not watch much television / I do not watch television often.
めったに + negative
めったに外食しません。
I rarely eat out.
ほとんど + negative
ほとんど運動しません。
I hardly ever exercise.
Time Expressions Commonly Used with から and まで
from / since — starting point
まで
until / up to — endpoint
から～まで
from～to～
九時から五時まで働きます。
Ku-ji kara go-ji made hatarakimasu.
I work from nine to five.
朝からずっと待っています。
Asa kara zutto matte imasu.
I have been waiting since morning.
終わるまで待ってください。
Owaru made matte kudasai.
Please wait until it is finished.
Common Japanese Words for Time and Sequence
さっき (sakki) — a short while ago
先ほど (sakihodo) — a short while ago; polite/formal
あとで (ato de) — later
これから (kore kara) — from now on / now going forward
以前 (izen) — before / previously
以後 (igo) — after that / from then on
最近 (saikin) — recently / these days
しばらく (shibaraku) — for a while
やっと (yatto) — finally, after difficulty or delay
すでに (sude ni) — already; formal
まもなく (mamonaku) — shortly
やがて (yagate) — before long / eventually
This hub focuses on four essential structures. The related vocabulary list helps you locate neighboring concepts, while the individual articles explain each central expression deeply.
Common Beginner Mistakes with Japanese Time Expressions
Mistake 1: Translating English “Always” with ずっと Every Time
ずっと好きです。
I have always loved you.
Repeated habit:
いつも朝ごはんを食べます。
I always eat breakfast.
Mistake 2: Translating English “Still” with One Japanese Word Every Time
The expected change has not happened.
彼はまだ寝ている。
He is still sleeping.
ずっと
The state fills the whole period.
彼は朝からずっと寝ている。
He has been sleeping since morning.
Mistake 3: Asking “Have You Eaten Yet?” with まだ
もう食べましたか。
Have you eaten yet?
Negative answer:
いいえ、まだです。
No, not yet.
Mistake 4: Confusing まだ食べていない and まだ食べない
I have not eaten yet.
まだ食べない。
I will not eat yet.
Mistake 5: Treating そろそろ as an Exact Clock Time
そろそろ tells us that the situation is approaching an appropriate stage. It does not tell us exactly how many minutes remain.
Mistake 6: Using そろそろ in an Emergency
すぐ逃げて！
Run away immediately!
Approaching planned transition:
そろそろ避難を始めましょう。
Let’s begin evacuating soon.
Mistake 7: Using 時々 for English “Sometime”
時々京都に行きます。
I sometimes go to Kyoto.
One unspecified future time:
いつか京都に行きたい。
I want to go to Kyoto sometime.
Mistake 8: Adding に After 時々
I sometimes watch movies.
× 時々に映画を見ます。
Mistake 9: Treating Frequency Words as Exact Mathematics
よく, 時々, and たまに overlap. Use exact expressions such as 週に二回 when the count matters.
Japanese Time Expressions in Everyday Conversations
Conversation 1: Lunch
Have you eaten lunch yet?
B: まだ。朝からずっと忙しくて。
Not yet. I have been busy since this morning.
A: じゃあ、そろそろ休憩しよう。
Then, let’s take a break soon.
B: うん。忙しい日は時々昼ごはんを忘れるんだ。
Yeah. On busy days, I sometimes forget lunch.
Conversation 2: Leaving a Friend’s House
It is already eleven.
B: 本当だ。そろそろ帰ろうかな。
You’re right. Maybe I should get going.
A: 駅まで送るよ。
I’ll walk you to the station.
B: ありがとう。今日はずっと楽しかった。
Thank you. I had a great time all day.
Conversation 3: Learning Japanese
How long have you studied Japanese?
B: 二年前からずっと勉強しています。
I have been studying it for two years.
A: 毎日ですか。
Every day?
B: いいえ。平日はたいてい勉強しますが、週末は時々です。
No. I usually study on weekdays, but only sometimes on weekends.
Conversation 4: Waiting for a Train
The train still has not come.
B: 予定では十時だから、そろそろ来ると思う。
It is scheduled for ten, so I think it should arrive around now.
A: この電車は時々遅れるんだよ。
This train is sometimes late.
B: もう十分待ったよ。
We have already waited long enough.
Japanese Time Expressions in Anime, Manga, and Songs
I’ve been waiting all this time.
もう終わりだ。
It is all over now.
まだ終わってない！
It is not over yet!
そろそろ本気を出すか。
Maybe it is time to get serious.
時々、君のことを思い出す。
Sometimes I remember you.
ずっと suggests a long hidden history.
もう marks an irreversible change.
まだ refuses to accept an ending.
そろそろ announces the next stage.
時々 shows a memory returning at intervals.
Weather Forecasts and 時々
Cloudy with rain at times.
曇り一時雨
Cloudy with a period of continuous rain.
曇りのち雨
Cloudy, then rain.
In everyday speech, 時々 has no fixed percentage. In Japan Meteorological Agency terminology, it has a technical meaning: the phenomenon occurs intermittently, and its total duration is less than half of the forecast period.
Everyday 時々 remains flexible and context-dependent.
How to Choose the Right Japanese Time Expression
⇒ ずっと
You want to say something has already happened
⇒ もう + affirmative
You want to say something is still continuing
⇒ まだ + affirmative
You want to say something has not happened yet
⇒ まだ + negative
You want to say something no longer happens
⇒ もう + negative
You feel it is becoming time to act
⇒ そろそろ
You want to say something happens on some occasions
⇒ 時々
Line? ⇒ ずっと
Boundary crossed? ⇒ もう・まだ
Next stage approaching? ⇒ そろそろ
Dots appearing how often? ⇒ 時々
Natural Example Sentences
子どものころからずっと東京に住んでいます。
Kodomo no koro kara zutto Tōkyō ni sunde imasu.
I have lived in Tokyo since I was a child.
その映画はもう見ました。
Sono eiga wa mō mimashita.
I have already seen that movie.
バスはまだ来ていません。
Basu wa mada kite imasen.
The bus has not arrived yet.
彼はまだ学生です。
Kare wa mada gakusei desu.
He is still a student.
私はもうその会社で働いていません。
Watashi wa mō sono kaisha de hataraite imasen.
I no longer work for that company.
そろそろ家を出ないと。
Sorosoro ie o denai to.
I need to leave the house soon.
そろそろ次の話題に移りましょう。
Sorosoro tsugi no wadai ni utsurimashō.
Let’s move on to the next topic.
私は時々一人で旅行します。
Watashi wa tokidoki hitori de ryokō shimasu.
I sometimes travel alone.
彼女とは今でも時々会います。
Kanojo to wa ima demo tokidoki aimasu.
I still meet her from time to time.
朝からずっと待っているのに、彼はまだ来ない。
Asa kara zutto matte iru noni, kare wa mada konai.
I have been waiting since morning, but he still has not come.
もう遅いから、そろそろ帰ろう。
Mō osoi kara, sorosoro kaerō.
It is already late, so let’s go home.
週末はたいてい家にいますが、時々出かけます。
Shūmatsu wa taitei ie ni imasu ga, tokidoki dekakemasu.
I am usually at home on weekends, but sometimes I go out.
ずっと好きだった。
Zutto suki datta.
I loved you all along.
まだあきらめないで。
Mada akiramenaide.
Do not give up yet.
そろそろ桜が咲く季節です。
Sorosoro sakura ga saku kisetsu desu.
It is almost cherry blossom season.
この機械は時々止まることがあります。
Kono kikai wa tokidoki tomaru koto ga arimasu.
This machine sometimes stops.
もうすぐ電車が来るので、そろそろホームに行きましょう。
Mō sugu densha ga kuru node, sorosoro hōmu ni ikimashō.
The train will arrive soon, so let’s head to the platform.
昨日はずっと雨でしたが、今日は時々晴れています。
Kinō wa zutto ame deshita ga, kyō wa tokidoki harete imasu.
It rained all day yesterday, but today the sun comes out from time to time.
宿題はもう終わりましたか。いいえ、まだです。
Shukudai wa mō owarimashita ka. Iie, mada desu.
Have you finished your homework yet? No, not yet.
これからもずっと友達でいよう。
Kore kara mo zutto tomodachi de iyō.
Let’s remain friends from now on.
FAQ About Japanese Time Expressions
What are the most important Japanese time expressions for beginners?
Useful beginner expressions include ずっと for continuation, もう for “already,” まだ for “still” or “not yet,” そろそろ for “it is about time,” and 時々 for “sometimes.”
How do you say “for a long time” in Japanese?
ずっと emphasizes continuity across a period. 長い間 explicitly emphasizes that the period is long, while しばらく means “for a while.”
How do you say “already” in Japanese?
もう is the common conversational expression. Use it with an affirmative completed form, as in もう食べました, “I already ate.”
How do you say “still” in Japanese?
まだ commonly means “still” when a state remains true. ずっと may also translate as “still” when the emphasis is on the full continuing duration.
How do you say “not yet” in Japanese?
Use まだ with a negative form, as in まだ食べていません, “I have not eaten yet.”
How do you say “no longer” in Japanese?
Use もう with a negative form, as in もう住んでいません, “I no longer live there.”
What is the difference between sorosoro and mou sugu?
もうすぐ directly says an event is close in time. そろそろ often says the appropriate or expected stage for an action is approaching.
How do you say “sometimes” in Japanese?
時々 (tokidoki) is the neutral beginner expression. たまに means “once in a while” and often suggests a rarer event.
What is the difference between zutto and tokidoki?
ずっと describes one action or state continuing across a period. 時々 describes separate occurrences with gaps between them.
What is the difference between zutto and mada?
ずっと emphasizes the entire continuing duration. まだ says the expected change has not happened and the current state remains.
Do Japanese frequency adverbs have exact percentages?
No. Words such as よく, 時々, and たまに have overlapping ranges. Use exact expressions such as 週に二回 when the number matters.
Does tokidoki mean “sometime”?
Usually no. 時々 means repeated “sometimes.” One unspecified future “sometime” is generally いつか or そのうち.
Why does Japanese ask もう食べましたか for “Have you eaten yet?”
The Japanese question asks whether the completion point has already been crossed. A negative answer is いいえ、まだです, “No, not yet.”
Can these expressions be used in polite Japanese?
Yes. The expressions themselves are broadly neutral. Politeness is mainly shown by the rest of the sentence, such as もう確認しました, そろそろ始めましょう, or 時々確認しております.
Explore the Four Detailed Guides
Learn its pronunciation, past-to-present continuation, future promises, ずっと好きだった, and the differences from いつも, まだ, 長い間, and いつまでも.
Mou vs Mada: How to Use もう and まだ
Learn the four core patterns—already, still, not yet, and no longer—plus questions, short answers, もうすぐ, もういい, and まだまだ.
Sorosoro Meaning: How to Use そろそろ and そろそろ～しよう
Learn how Japanese speakers gently suggest leaving, beginning, sleeping, preparing, and moving to the next stage.
Tokidoki Meaning: How to Use 時々 for Frequency
Learn its pronunciation, the repetition mark 々, rendaku, word order, frequency scale, weather usage, and differences from よく and たまに.
Summary: Japanese Time Expressions
One action or state continues across a period.
Image: an unbroken line.
● もう
A change or completion has happened.
Affirmative: already
Negative: no longer / not anymore
● まだ
The earlier state continues because a change has not happened.
Affirmative: still
Negative: not yet
● そろそろ
The suitable or expected time for the next action is approaching.
Common translations: soon / it is about time
● 時々
An event happens on some occasions, with gaps.
Common translations: sometimes / from time to time
● Four questions
How long? ⇒ ずっと
Has the change happened? ⇒ もう・まだ
Is it becoming time to act? ⇒ そろそろ
How often? ⇒ 時々
ずっと ⇒ a line
もう・まだ ⇒ a boundary
そろそろ ⇒ an approaching stage
時々 ⇒ separate dots
Once you see the shape of time, the natural English meaning becomes much easier to choose.
References
- The Japan Foundation, Minna no Kyozai: もう／まだ — completion, non-completion, and continuation before and after an expected change.
- The Japan Foundation, Minna no Kyozai: Frequency Expressions — relative ordering of common frequency expressions.
- Kotobank: ずっと — meanings involving continuation and degree.
- Kotobank: そろそろ — modern meanings and historical development.
- Kotobank: 時時（ときどき） — adverbial and noun meanings.
- Japan Meteorological Agency: Weather Forecasts — technical distinction between 時々 and 一時.