Translation guide
The English phrase "about time" is used to express that something should have happened sooner, often with a sense of relief or mild annoyance. It can also literally refer to an approximate time. This guide focuses on the idiomatic usage.
To convey that an event or action is long overdue, often with a tone of relief, impatience, or mild reproach.
An adverb meaning 'at last' or 'finally'. It is the most common and natural way to express that something has finally happened after a long wait. It can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
It's about time you came.
It's about time it ended.
Similar to やっと, meaning 'finally' or 'at last', but often carries a stronger sense of effort or difficulty overcome. Slightly more formal or literary than やっと.
It's about time spring came.
An adverb meaning 'it's about time (that something happens)', often used to express impatience or frustration. It implies that the situation has gone on too long. Commonly used in casual speech.
Can sound scolding or harsh if used directly toward someone. The phrase いい加減にしなさい is a strong reprimand.
It's about time you stopped that!
Means 'it's about time to...' or 'soon'. It is used to suggest that the time has come to do something, often with a sense of gentle urging. It does not carry the same 'overdue' frustration as the English 'about time' but can be used in similar contexts.
It's about time we headed out.
To indicate that something will happen at roughly a certain time, without the idiomatic sense of overdue.
Attach 頃 (ごろ) to a specific time to mean 'around' or 'about' that time. This is the standard way to express approximate time.
Let's meet at about 3 o'clock.
It will probably rain around evening.
Also means 'about' or 'approximately'. Can be used with time expressions, but is more general and can be used with quantities. Slightly more casual than 頃.
I waited for about an hour.
やっと is the most common and neutral way to say 'finally' or 'at last'. ようやく implies a longer struggle or more effort. いい加減 expresses frustration that something should have happened already and is often used in complaints or scolding.
The bus finally came. (neutral relief)
We finally reached the summit. (after a tough climb)
It's about time you stopped talking about that. (annoyed)
Do not translate 'about time' literally as 時間について (jikan ni tsuite) or 時間の約 (jikan no yaku). These do not convey the idiomatic meaning of overdue expectation. Use the phrases above instead.
It's about time the rain stopped.