それ以来
sore irai
The English phrase "since then" is translated into Japanese as それ以来 (sore irai).
それ以来 is used to refer to a period of time starting from a specific event in the past and continuing until the present. It describes a continuous state or an unbroken period of time that has persisted from that point onward.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of それ (sore), meaning "that" and 以来 (irai), meaning "since".
How does it change in a sentence?
それ以来 functions as an adverbial phrase. It can be placed at the beginning of a sentence or after a time-related noun.
How do you pronounce it?
sore irai
Did you know?
- Japanese has a related concept called 以来 (irai) used in specialized Buddhist terminology to refer to a period spanning across multiple lifetimes or aeons, far exceeding the human experience of 'since then'.
- While それ以来 is neutral, Japanese speakers use あれ以来 (are irai) to signal that the event being referenced is a distant or unpleasant memory.
- The phrase 以来 (irai) can be attached to nouns like 創業 (sōgyō) to create compound words such as 創業以来 (sōgyō irai), meaning 'since the founding'.
Examples in context
- それ以来３年が経過した。Three years have passed since then.This sentence shows how to express the passage of time using それ以来.Tatoeba #204489 by bunbuku, translation #41731 by CK
- 彼はそれ以来宗教活動に携わっている。He has engaged in religious activity since then.This sentence describes an ongoing activity that has continued since the specified time using それ以来.Tatoeba #112148 by tommy__san, translation #291530 by CM
- それ以来我々の勢力範囲は拡大してきた。Our sphere of influence has expanded so much since then.This sentence demonstrates the expansion of influence over time using それ以来.Tatoeba #204485 by KK_kaku_, translation #41727 by CM
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking about a hobby they started after a workshop.
- 結衣 Yuiワークショップに参加しましたか？Wākushōppu ni sanka shimashita ka?Did you participate in the workshop?
- 蓮 Renはい、それ以来、絵を描いています。Hai, sore irai, e o kaite imasu.Yes, since then, I have been drawing.
- 結衣 Yui蓮さんは絵が上手ですね。Ren-san wa e ga jōzu desu ne.Ren, you are good at drawing.
- 蓮 Renありがとうございます、もっと練習します。Arigatō gozaimasu, motto renshū shimasu.Thank you, I will practice more.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
