Translation guide
The English phrase "about time" is used to express that something should have happened sooner, often with a sense of relief or mild annoyance. It can also literally refer to an approximate time. This guide focuses on the idiomatic usage.
To convey that an event or action is long overdue, often with a tone of relief, impatience, or mild reproach.
To indicate that something will happen at roughly a certain time, without the idiomatic sense of overdue.
Attach 頃 (ごろ) to a specific time to mean 'around' or 'about' that time. This is the standard way to express approximate time.
3時頃に会いましょう。
Let's meet at about 3 o'clock.
夕方頃に雨が降るでしょう。
It will probably rain around evening.
やっと is the most common and neutral way to say 'finally' or 'at last'. ようやく implies a longer struggle or more effort. いい加減 expresses frustration that something should have happened already and is often used in complaints or scolding.
やっとバスが来た。
The bus finally came. (neutral relief)
ようやく山頂に着いた。
We finally reached the summit. (after a tough climb)
いい加減、その話はやめて。
It's about time you stopped talking about that. (annoyed)
It's about time you came.
やっと終わった。
It's about time it ended.
Similar to やっと, meaning 'finally' or 'at last', but often carries a stronger sense of effort or difficulty overcome. Slightly more formal or literary than やっと.
ようやく春が来た。
It's about time spring came.
An adverb meaning 'it's about time (that something happens)', often used to express impatience or frustration. It implies that the situation has gone on too long. Commonly used in casual speech.
Can sound scolding or harsh if used directly toward someone. The phrase いい加減にしなさい is a strong reprimand.
いい加減にしなさい！
It's about time you stopped that!
いい加減、雨がやんでほしい。
It's about time the rain stopped.
Means 'it's about time to...' or 'soon'. It is used to suggest that the time has come to do something, often with a sense of gentle urging. It does not carry the same 'overdue' frustration as the English 'about time' but can be used in similar contexts.
そろそろ出かけよう。
It's about time we headed out.
Also means 'about' or 'approximately'. Can be used with time expressions, but is more general and can be used with quantities. Slightly more casual than 頃.
1時間くらい待った。
I waited for about an hour.
Do not translate 'about time' literally as 時間について (jikan ni tsuite) or 時間の約 (jikan no yaku). These do not convey the idiomatic meaning of overdue expectation. Use the phrases above instead.
Do not translate 'about time' literally as 時間について (jikan ni tsuite) or 時間の約 (jikan no yaku). These do not convey the idiomatic meaning of overdue expectation. Use the phrases above instead.