Japanese Conversation · Level 21
90 words
Japanese word
とりあえず
Pronunciation
Romajitoriaezu
Meaning
- adverbfor now
Example
とりあえず、これでいいです。to ri a e zu ko re de i i de su
For now, this is fine.
More examples
迷ったら、とりあえず先生に聞きます。mayo tta ra to ri a e zu sen sei ni ki ki ma su
If I am unsure, I ask the teacher first.
Core concept
It presents something as the practical first step or temporary choice before a final decision is made.
Common phrases
とりあえずやってみるto ri a e zu ya tte mi ru
try it for now
Similar words
ひとまずhitomazu: It indicates doing something as the first step while leaving later decisions open.
一応ichiō: It indicates accepting or doing something provisionally, often with limited commitment.
まずはmazuwa: It marks something as the first thing to do in a process or situation.
Definition in Japanese
後のことはさておき、まず当面必要なことをするさま。ato no ko to wa sa te o ki ma zu tō men hitsu yō na ko to o su ru sa ma
Word origin
The native adverb とりあえず (toriaezu) has the traditional spelling 取り敢えず (toriaezu), combining 取り (tori, "taking") with 敢えず (aezu, "without managing to").
Usage tips
- In conversation, とりあえず (toriaezu) often shows that a choice is acceptable for the moment rather than necessarily final.
Other meanings
- first of alladverb
- anywayadverb