Translation guide
The English phrase 'wait and see' expresses a patient, observational approach to an uncertain situation. In Japanese, this concept is conveyed through various expressions that emphasize watching, observing, or leaving things to time, with nuances ranging from casual to formal.
To express that one will watch how things develop before making a decision or taking action.
A common, neutral phrase meaning 'to observe the situation' or 'to see how things go'. It implies waiting for more information before acting.
もう少し様子を見ましょう。
Let's wait and see a little longer.
I'll decide after seeing his reaction.
Literally 'to watch over the course of events'. It conveys a sense of patiently observing how things unfold, often used in more formal or serious contexts.
事態の成り行きを見守るしかない。
We have no choice but to wait and see how the situation develops.
A formal, somewhat literary term meaning 'to watch quietly' or 'to observe without intervening'. Often used in political or business contexts.
政府は事態を静観している。
The government is taking a wait-and-see approach.
To express that one will not force a resolution and instead let time reveal the outcome.
Literally 'time will solve it'. A natural way to say that you'll wait for time to take care of things.
今は何もできない。時間が解決してくれるのを待つしかない。
There's nothing we can do now. We just have to wait and see if time heals things.
A casual, resigned expression meaning 'things will work out as they will' or 'whatever will be, will be'. It implies a wait-and-see attitude with a sense of acceptance.
心配しても仕方ない。なるようになるさ。
There's no point worrying. We'll just have to wait and see.
A literary expression meaning 'to leave one's fate to heaven'. It conveys a wait-and-see attitude with a sense of trusting in destiny.
あとは運を天に任せるだけだ。
Now we can only wait and see what fate has in store.
To express that one will postpone making a choice or forming an opinion until more is known.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'to reserve judgment'. It clearly states that a decision will be made later after observation.
今は判断を保留して、もう少し様子を見ます。
I'll reserve judgment for now and wait and see a bit longer.
Literally 'not to rush to a conclusion'. It implies a wait-and-see approach by avoiding hasty decisions.
結論を急がずに、しばらく様子を見よう。
Let's not jump to conclusions; let's wait and see for a while.
To express that a patient's condition will be monitored over time before further action.
A medical term meaning 'follow-up observation' or 'watchful waiting'. It is used when a doctor decides to monitor a condition without immediate treatment.
今は経過観察で大丈夫です。
For now, it's fine to just wait and see (monitor the progress).
Also used in medical contexts to mean 'to monitor' or 'to observe' a patient's condition.
熱が下がらないようなら、もう一度来てください。今は様子を見てください。
If the fever doesn't go down, come back. For now, just wait and see.
様子を見る is a neutral, everyday expression for 'wait and see'. 静観する is more formal and implies deliberately not intervening, often used in news or business contexts.
彼はいつも様子を見てから行動する。
He always waits and sees before acting.
政府は市場の動きを静観している。
The government is taking a wait-and-see stance on market movements.
The direct translation '待って見る' (matte miru) is not natural Japanese for 'wait and see'. Use the phrases provided instead.
様子を見るしかないね。
We'll just have to wait and see.
何が起こるか様子を見よう。
Let's wait and see what happens.
どうなるか様子を見るつもりです。
I'm going to wait and see how things go.