Translation guide
A guide to expressing the English word "just" in Japanese, organized by meaning and use. Covers recent past, exactness, only/simply, barely, emphasis, and more.
Expressing that something happened a very short time ago.
Literally 'just now'. Used for very immediate past actions. Common in spoken Japanese.
I just got home.
I just sent the email.
Attached to the past tense plain form of a verb. Means 'just did something'. Emphasizes that the action was completed recently.
I just ate.
I just came to Japan and am not used to it yet.
A slightly more formal or literary way to say 'just now'. Often used in polite contexts.
The company president just returned a moment ago.
Indicating that something is exactly a certain way, amount, or time.
The most common and versatile word for 'exactly' or 'just right'. Works for time, quantity, size, etc.
It's just 12 o'clock.
These shoes are just the right size.
Emphasizes that something is exactly as described, often with a nuance of 'indeed' or 'precisely'. Used for identity or timing.
Often used for things fitting perfectly, like clothes or a schedule. Can also mean 'exactly right' for amounts.
Limiting something to a small amount, degree, or reason; 'nothing more than'.
Means 'only', 'just', 'merely'. Often used before nouns or clauses. Can sound plain or factual.
It's just a cold.
I was just asking.
A particle meaning 'only' or 'just'. Attaches to nouns, verbs, etc. Very common and neutral.
More formal or written, meaning 'simply' or 'merely'. Often used with だけ or に過ぎない.
Formal expression meaning 'no more than', 'merely'. Used after nouns or clauses.
This is just one example.
Indicating that something almost didn't happen or was very close to a limit.
Means 'barely', 'just in time', or 'by a narrow margin'. Often used with time or limits.
I just barely caught the train.
A slightly formal way to say 'barely' or 'just managed to'. Often used with potential form verbs.
Means 'at last' or 'finally', but can imply 'just barely' when combined with a sense of difficulty. Focuses on the effort and relief.
Used for emphasis, often in exclamations or to stress a quality.
Means 'really' or 'truly'. Can translate 'just' in emphatic statements like 'It's just wonderful'.
It's just wonderful!
Means 'completely' or 'absolutely'. Used for strong emphasis, often in negative or surprised contexts.
Means 'anyway' or 'just' in the sense of 'just do it' or 'just because'. Implies ignoring details.
Expressing that an action is on the verge of happening.
Indicating that a reason is simple or insufficient; often dismissive.
Uses ただ (only) with から (because). Means 'just because...'.
Just because it's cheap doesn't mean you need to buy it.
Means 'just because' or 'simply on the grounds that'. Often used in negative contexts.
Just because he's young doesn't mean he lacks experience.
Indicating two events happening simultaneously.
Used after past tense verb. Means 'just as' or 'the moment something happened, something else occurred'.
Just as I left the house, it started raining.
Means 'just when I thought...'. Expresses that something happened right after another event, often unexpectedly.
English 'just' has many functions that do not map to a single Japanese word. Always consider the intended meaning (recent past, only, exactly, etc.) before choosing an expression. Using ただ or だけ in every case will often sound unnatural.
Both mean 'just did something', but たった今 emphasizes the immediacy (a few seconds/minutes ago), while 〜たばかり focuses on the fact that the action was recently completed and its effects are still relevant. たった今 is more like 'just now', 〜たばかり is more like 'have just done'.
When limiting an amount, だけ is the most natural choice. For example, 'just one' is 一つだけ, 'just a little' is 少しだけ. It can also follow verbs: 見るだけ (just looking).
I just arrived.
It's just a cold.
I was just thinking about that.
This is just the book I was looking for.
この服は私にぴったりです。
These clothes fit me just right.
We were able to travel just within our budget.
Just a little, please.
I'm just looking.
That's just a misunderstanding.
I submitted it just before the deadline.
I just barely passed the exam.
It's just finished. / Finally done.
まったく信じられない。
I just can't believe it.
とにかくやってみよう。
Let's just try it.
Just when I thought it had finally cleared up, it got cloudy again.