さっき
sakki[sa̠k̚ʲkʲi]
In Japanese, "a while ago" is said as さっき (sakki).
さっき is used to refer to a recent occurrence or a short time ago, usually describing something that happened within the same day.
Which one should you use?
If you want to say "a little while ago" in informal everyday conversation, you can also use ちょっと前. For a broader sense of "recently" or "the other day" in informal settings, use この前.
How does it change in a sentence?
さっき functions as an adverb. When using it to indicate time, you do not need to add a particle like に after it. You can also add the particle まで to the end of the word to create さっきまで, which means "until a while ago".
How do you pronounce it?
sakki
Did you know?
- The word さっき is derived from 先, which means 'ahead' or 'future'. This creates a paradox where a word for the future is used to describe the immediate past.
- In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often omit the subject and verb entirely, saying only さっき to imply 'I just did that' or 'That happened a moment ago'.
- If you are talking to a boss or a teacher, you should avoid using さっき and instead use the more polite 先ほど (sakihodo) to avoid sounding too casual.
Examples in context
- トムはさっき家に帰ってきた。Tom came back home a while ago.This sentence uses さっき to describe when someone returned home.Tatoeba #8620076 by bunbuku, translation #5849448 by CK
- さっきまで暖かかったのに、日が陰ると急に寒くなってきたね。Since sunset it has gotten cold so quickly, even though it was hot until just a while ago.This sentence uses さっきまで to describe a state that lasted until a while ago.Tatoeba #9457470 by small_snow, translation #10064785 by tsp_2
- 会議は数時間前に終わりました。The meeting ended a few hours ago.
- 私たちは二ヶ月前に結婚しました。We got married two months ago.
- テレビでおもしろい映画をちょっと前に見たよ。I saw an interesting movie on TV a little while ago.
- さっき友達に会った。I met my friend a while ago.
- この前、美味しい寿司を食べた。I ate delicious sushi the other day.
- さっき、メールを送りました。sakki, mēru o okurimashita.I sent an email a while ago.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are talking in the kitchen.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵、さっきお菓子を食べた？Himari, sakki okashi o tabeta?Himari, did you eat the sweets a while ago?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、一つだけ食べたよ。Un, hitotsu dake tabeta yo.Yes, I ate just one.
- 健太 Kentaやっぱり。袋が開いていたから。Yappari. Fukuro ga aite ita kara.I thought so. The bag was open.
- 陽葵 Himariごめんね、健太。Gomen ne, Kenta.Sorry, Kenta.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry さっき, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries さっき, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
