Translation guide
The English word 'transitory' describes something temporary, fleeting, or short-lived. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through adjectives, verbs, and idiomatic phrases that emphasize impermanence. The most common and natural ways to convey this idea depend on the context: describing a passing phase, a momentary feeling, or the Buddhist-inspired notion of life's transience.
Describing something that exists or happens for only a short time and will soon end or change.
A common and neutral adjective meaning 'temporary' or 'transient'. Used for situations, conditions, or states that are not permanent.
Expressing the Buddhist or aesthetic concept that all things are transient and constantly changing.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'impermanence' or 'transience'. A key concept in Buddhism, often used in literary or philosophical contexts.
一時的 is objective and neutral, suitable for describing temporary jobs, measures, or phenomena. 儚い carries an emotional, often melancholic nuance, emphasizing beauty in transience. Use 儚い for poetic or heartfelt expressions about life, love, or nature.
The English word 'transitory' is relatively formal. In everyday Japanese, it's often more natural to use simpler words like 一時的 or rephrase the sentence. Overusing rare terms like 泡沫 or 過渡的 can sound unnatural or overly literary.
その幸福は一時的なものだった。
That happiness was transitory.
一時的な流行に過ぎない。
It's just a transitory fad.
An adjective that captures the fleeting, ephemeral nature of something, often with a poetic or emotional nuance. Commonly used for life, dreams, or beauty.
A phrase meaning 'momentary' or 'brief', used as a pre-noun modifier. Emphasizes the shortness of a pleasant or peaceful time.
束の間の休息を楽しんだ。
We enjoyed a transitory rest.
A formal, technical term meaning 'transitional' or 'transitory', often used in academic or business contexts to describe a phase between states.
過渡的な段階にある。
It is in a transitory stage.
A set phrase from Buddhist teachings meaning 'all worldly things are transitory'. Used proverbially or in reflective writing.
諸行無常の響きあり。
There is an echo of the transitory nature of all things.