Japanese word

やがて

Pronunciation

Romajiyagate

Meaning

  • adverbsoon

Example

やがて夏になります。ya ga te natsu ni na ri ma su

It will soon be summer.

Illustration for やがて (soon)

More examples

努力の成果はやがて表れます。do ryoku no sei ka wa ya ga te arawa re ma su

The results of your efforts will eventually appear.

Core concept

Places an event on a path toward the future, either close at hand or after some time has passed.

Common phrases

  • やがて大人になるya ga te otona ni na ru

    eventually become an adult

  • やがて実現するya ga te jitsu gen su ru

    eventually come true

Similar words

まもなくmamonaku: Indicates that something happens in a short time, often with a neutral or formal tone.
じきにjikini: Indicates that something is expected to happen before long in familiar speech.
そのうちsonouchi: Indicates that something happens at an unspecified time in the future.

Definition in Japanese

ある出来事が近いうちに、または時がたてば起こることを示す語。a ru de ki goto ga chika i u chi ni ma ta wa toki ga ta te ba o ko ru ko to o shime su go

Word origin

The native Japanese adverb やがて (yagate, "soon; eventually") comes from classical Japanese and developed from earlier uses meaning "as it is" and "immediately".

Usage tips

  • The adverb やがて (yagate) often appears in stories and explanations for a change expected after the present, rather than for an immediate next action.

Other meanings

  • eventuallyadverb

Word lists with this word