光陰矢の如し
kōin ya no gotoshi
The English phrase "time flies" can be expressed in Japanese as 光陰矢の如し (kōin ya no gotoshi).
The phrase 光陰矢の如し is a poetic way to say that time passes quickly. If you wish to express impatience regarding the speed of time, you can use jikan ga hayasugiru to mean "time flies too fast".
Meaning: time seems to pass quickly (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The expression 光陰矢の如し literally means "time is like an arrow". The word 光陰 (kōin) literally means "light and shadow", which is a poetic way to refer to time.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a casual tone, you can say jikan ga hayai.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 光陰矢の如し can be adapted within a larger sentence by changing the ending from gotoshi (如し) to gotoku (如く), which allows it to function as an adverb meaning "like an arrow".
How do you pronounce it?
kōin ya no gotoshi
Did you know?
- The structure of the poetic phrase 光陰矢の如し is actually a direct descendant of a Tang Dynasty poem by the Chinese poet Wei Zhuang. It has traveled from classical Chinese literature into Japanese high style.
- The metaphor of the arrow in 光陰矢の如し emphasizes not just speed, but the fact that time is irreversible. Once an arrow is released, it cannot be pulled back.
- Using 光陰矢の如し is a way of expressing a philosophical resignation to time, whereas jikan ga hayai is a simple observation of speed.
Examples in context
- 光陰矢の如し。How time flies!This sentence is useful for expressing "How time flies!" using 光陰矢の如し.Tatoeba #174066 by KK_kaku_, translation #240401 by CM
- 「時間は早く流れる。もう１年が過ぎてしまった」Time flies. Another year has already passed.
- 「もう夕方ですね。本当に時間が早く過ぎますね」It's already evening. Time really flies, doesn't it?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two former classmates meeting after ten years.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くん、久しぶり！もう十年だね。Ren-kun, hisashiburi! Mō jūnen da ne.Ren, long time no see! It's been ten years already.
- 蓮 Ren本当だね。光陰矢の如しだよ。Hontō da ne. Kōin ya no gotoshi da yo.It really is. Time flies.
- 美咲 Misaki美咲さんの見た目は変わらないね。Misaki-san no mitame wa kawaranai ne.You haven't changed at all, Misaki.
- 蓮 Renありがとう。嬉しいわ。Arigatō. Ureshii wa.Thank you. I'm happy to hear that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “time flies” translations and entries 光陰矢の如し, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 光陰矢の如し, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
