Japanese word

いとま

Pronunciation

Romajiitoma

Meaning

  • nounspare time

Example

考えるいとまもありません。kanga e ru i to ma mo a ri ma se n

I do not even have time to think.

Illustration for いとま (spare time)

More examples

締め切りが迫り、内容を確認するいとまがありません。shi me ki ri ga sema ri nai yō o kaku nin su ru i to ma ga a ri ma se n

With the deadline approaching, I have no time to check the details.

Core concept

Refers to an interval free from duties or other demands, especially when there is enough time to do something.

Common phrases

  • いとまがあるi to ma ga a ru

    have spare time

  • いとまもないi to ma mo na i

    have no time even to ___

Similar words

暇hima: Time when a person is free from work or other duties.
時間jikan: A period during which an activity can take place or a situation continues.
余暇yoka: Free time available for rest or personal activities.

Definition in Japanese

仕事などに追われず自由に使える時間。shi goto na do ni o wa re zu ji yū ni tsuka e ru ji kan

Word origin

The etymology of the native Japanese noun いとま (itoma) is uncertain, and no confirmed division into older word elements is known; it is written 暇 (itoma, "free time").

Usage tips

  • In modern Japanese, いとま (itoma) often sounds formal or literary, whereas 時間 (jikan) is the usual neutral word for time in everyday speech.

Opposites

Word lists with this word