時間が経った
jikan ga tatta
In Japanese, "time passed" is expressed as 時間が経った (jikan ga tatta).
This phrase is used to describe the process of time moving forward or a certain amount of time having gone by. Note that this expression is specific to the passage of time. You should not use it to describe physical objects moving past a point, as that requires the verb 通る.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form used to describe the general phenomenon of time passing is 時間が経つ. To express that the time has already passed in a polite manner, use 時間が経ちました.
How do you pronounce it?
jikan ga tatta
Did you know?
- The verb 経つ (tatsu) used for time passing is the same word used to describe standing up from a seated position. This creates a linguistic link between the verticality of standing and the 'standing' of a certain amount of time.
- When describing time passing in a spiritual or Buddhist context, Japanese often uses the term 無常 (mujō), referring to 'impermanence'. This frames the passage of time as a fundamental law of nature where nothing stays the same.
- In certain poetic or dramatic contexts, instead of saying time 'passed', one might use 月日が流れる (tsukihi ga nagareru), which literally translates to 'the days and months flow'.
Examples in context
- Gogatsu futsuka ni (五月二日に)On the 2nd of May
- Isshukan TV wo mita (一週間テレビを見た)I watched TV for a week
- Chotto mae ni sono eiga wo mita (ちょっと前にその映画を見た)I saw that movie a little while ago
- あれから、長い時間が経った。Are kara, nagai jikan ga tatta.A long time has passed since then.
- 数年という時間が経った。Sūnen to iu jikan ga tatta.A certain amount of time, several years, has passed.
Example conversation
Two friends meeting after a long break.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮、久しぶり！本当に時間が経ったね。Ren, hisashiburi! hontou ni jikan ga tatta ne.Ren, long time no see! Time really has passed.
- 蓮 Ren本当だね。陽葵は全然変わっていないよ。hontou da ne. Himari wa zenzen kawatte inai yo.You're right. Himari, you haven't changed at all.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。最近はどうしてたの？arigatou. saikin wa dou shiteta no?Thanks. What have you been up to lately?
- 蓮 Ren仕事で忙しかったけど、元気だったよ。shigoto de isogashikatta kedo, genki datta yo.I was busy with work, but I've been doing well.
