Translation guide
How to express 'narrowly' in Japanese, covering meanings like barely, by a small margin, in a limited way, and with close attention.
Expressing that something almost didn't happen, or happened by a very small amount.
A common adverb meaning 'barely' or 'narrowly', often used when a negative outcome was just avoided.
Describing an action or interpretation that is narrow in scope or focus.
The adverbial form of 'narrow', used for physical or metaphorical narrowness.
その言葉は狭く解釈すべきだ。
The term should be interpreted narrowly.
Looking at something very carefully, often with suspicion.
To stare or look narrowly at someone, often rudely or with curiosity.
彼は私をじろじろ見た。
He looked at me narrowly.
To examine or investigate narrowly, in detail.
Both mean 'barely', but かろうじて is more formal and often used in writing or serious situations. ぎりぎり is casual and commonly used for time limits or physical margins.
かろうじて命は助かった。
He narrowly survived.
ぎりぎりセーフ！
Just barely safe!
Avoid directly translating 'narrowly' as 狭く (せまく) when you mean 'barely'. Use かろうじて or ぎりぎり instead.
かろうじて試験に合格した。
I narrowly passed the exam.
彼はかろうじて事故を免れた。
He narrowly escaped the accident.
Means 'just barely' or 'by a hair's breadth', often used in casual speech for time, limits, or physical closeness.
電車にぎりぎり間に合った。
I narrowly caught the train.
ぎりぎりのところで助かった。
I was saved at the very last moment.
Literally 'at the last moment', used when something almost happened but was narrowly avoided.
すんでのところで車にひかれるところだった。
I was narrowly hit by a car.
Means 'almost' or 'narrowly', often paired with a verb in the negative or a phrase indicating a close call.
危うく遅刻するところだった。
I was almost late.
Means 'in a limited way' or 'restrictively', often used in formal contexts.
この規則は限定的に適用される。
This rule is applied narrowly.
警察は事件を細かく調べた。
The police narrowly examined the case.