Translation guide
The English phrase 'a moment' refers to a very short period of time. In Japanese, there are several ways to express this, depending on the context and nuance. Common expressions include ちょっと (chotto) for casual requests or brief waits, 少し (sukoshi) for a short while, and 瞬間 (shunkan) for an instant. The choice depends on formality and whether you're asking someone to wait, describing a fleeting moment, or using it in a set phrase.
To indicate a brief wait or pause, often used in requests or when asking for someone's time.
Very common casual word meaning 'a little' or 'a moment'. Used in everyday conversation to ask someone to wait briefly or to soften requests.
ちょっと待ってください。
Please wait a moment.
ちょっと手伝ってもらえますか？
Could you help me for a moment?
Polite, formal word for 'a moment' or 'a little'. Often used in business settings or when speaking to customers.
Means 'a little' or 'a short while'. More neutral than ちょっと, can be used in both casual and slightly formal contexts.
Means 'for a while' or 'for a moment'. Can imply a slightly longer wait than ちょっと, but still relatively short.
To describe a very brief, almost instantaneous moment in time.
Means 'instant' or 'moment'. Used for a very short, precise point in time.
その瞬間、何が起こったか分からなかった。
In that moment, I didn't know what happened.
一瞬の出来事だった。
It happened in a moment.
Literally 'one instant', emphasizes the brevity of the moment. Often used in phrases like 一瞬で (in a flash).
A literary or philosophical term for an extremely brief moment, often translated as 'instant' or 'moment'. Used in poetic or dramatic contexts.
To refer to the current or a specific point in time, often used in narratives or explanations.
Literally 'right now, this moment'. Emphasizes the present instant.
今この瞬間を楽しもう。
Let's enjoy this moment right now.
'At that moment'. Used to describe a specific point in the past or future.
その瞬間、彼は決心した。
At that moment, he made up his mind.
Means 'for the moment' or 'at present'. Used to describe a temporary situation.
To refer to a brief period when something happens, often with emotional or significant weight.
Means 'a moment' or 'a short while', often implying a pleasant or meaningful interval.
楽しいひとときを過ごした。
We had a pleasant moment.
至福のひととき。
A moment of bliss.
Can mean 'a moment' or 'a short time', but also 'temporarily'. Slightly more formal or literary.
Literally 'one moment', often used in set phrases like 一刻を争う (every moment counts).
ちょっと is casual and very common in spoken Japanese. 少々 is formal and polite, often used in business or service contexts. 少し is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite speech, but is less common than ちょっと in casual requests.
ちょっと待って。
Wait a sec. (casual)
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment. (formal)
少し待ってください。
Please wait a little. (polite but less formal than 少々)
瞬間 (shunkan) means 'instant' and is not used for asking someone to wait. Use ちょっと or 少々 instead. Saying 瞬間待って is unnatural.
ちょっと待って。
Wait a moment. (natural)
少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment. (polite)
少々お時間をいただけますか？
Could I have a moment of your time? (formal)
Wait a moment. (casual)
少し休みましょう。
Let's rest for a moment.
しばらくお待ちください。
Please wait a moment. (polite, slightly longer wait)
しばらく考えさせてください。
Let me think for a moment.
一瞬で消えた。
It disappeared in a moment.
一瞬の隙も見せない。
He doesn't show even a moment's opening.
It was a momentary event. (literary)
There are no problems at the moment.
一時の感情に流されるな。
Don't be swayed by a momentary emotion.
一刻を争う事態だ。
It's a situation where every moment counts.