Translation guide
This guide covers how to express 'move on' in Japanese, including physically moving to a new place, progressing to the next topic or stage, and emotionally moving on from a past event or relationship.
The speaker wants to indicate that they are moving forward in a conversation, task, or life stage, leaving the current subject behind.
A natural, general way to say 'move on to the next thing'. Used in meetings, presentations, and daily conversation.
では、次の議題に進みましょう。
Now, let's move on to the next agenda item.
Let's drop that topic and move on.
Emphasizes moving ahead, often used when you want to progress without dwelling on the current point.
細かいことは気にせず、先に進みましょう。
Let's not worry about the details and move on.
Specifically means 'to move the conversation forward'. Useful when you want to change the subject.
ちょっと話を先に進めてもいいですか？
Can we move the conversation along a bit?
The speaker wants to express that they are getting over a past emotional event and moving forward with their life.
Means to get over something emotionally, to stop letting it bother you. Often used for breakups or past regrets.
やっと失恋を吹っ切れた。
I've finally moved on from the heartbreak.
いつまでもくよくよしてないで、吹っ切れなよ。
Stop moping around forever and move on.
Literally 'switch one's feelings'. Used when you consciously decide to change your mindset and move forward.
失敗はもう忘れて、気持ちを切り替えよう。
Forget about the failure and move on.
Means 'not to drag the past along'. A common way to say you are not letting the past hold you back.
彼女はもう過去を引きずっていないよ。
She's moved on from the past already.
A very casual, slangy way to say 'move on to the next (person/thing)'. Often used in dating contexts.
もう別れたんだから、次に行こうぜ。
We broke up, so let's just move on, man.
The speaker wants to indicate that someone is leaving a location to go somewhere else, often after a stop or delay.
General verb for 'to move (to another location)'. Neutral and widely used.
そろそろ次の会場に移動しましょう。
Let's move on to the next venue soon.
Means 'to go ahead'. Used when someone moves on while others stay behind.
先に行ってて。すぐ追いつくから。
Go on ahead. I'll catch up soon.
Means 'to depart'. More formal, often used for scheduled departures of vehicles or groups.
バスは定刻通りに出発しました。
The bus moved on/departed on schedule.
The speaker wants to express that time continues to pass, often implying that one must accept change.
Literally 'time passes'. A poetic but common way to say time moves on.
時が経つのは早いですね。
Time moves on so fast, doesn't it?
A more direct translation: 'time moves forward'. Used in philosophical or reflective contexts.
何があっても時間は進む。
No matter what happens, time moves on.
The literal translation 上に動く makes no sense in Japanese. Always use the context-appropriate phrases above.
上に動く
move on (incorrect literal translation)
次に進む focuses on the next item in a sequence (next agenda, next topic). 先に進む focuses on moving forward in general, often implying not getting stuck on the current point. They overlap but 先に進む can sound more proactive.