Japanese word

経つ

Pronunciation

Romajitatsu

Meaning

  • verbgo by

Example

時間が経ちます。ji kan ga ta chi ma su

Time goes by.

Illustration for 経つ (go by)

More examples

この町に住み始めてから、五年が経ちました。ko no machi ni su mi haji me te ka ra go nen ga ta chi ma shi ta

It has been five years since I started living in this town.

Core concept

Shows time moving forward until a period or moment has passed.

Common phrases

  • 時間が経つji kan ga ta tsu

    time passes

  • 時が経つtoki ga ta tsu

    time goes by

Similar words

過ぎるsugiru: To pass beyond a place, point, limit, or scheduled time.

Definition in Japanese

時間や年月が過ぎていく。ji kan ya toshi tsuki ga su gi te i ku

Word origin

経つ (tatsu, "to elapse") is a native Japanese verb connected with 経る (heru, "to pass through"); 経る applies to passing through a route or period, while 経つ is used when a period passes.

Usage tips

  • The set phrase 時が経つ (toki ga tatsu) uses 時 (toki, "time") with this verb, a common pattern for saying that time passes.

Opposites

Word lists with this word