Translation guide
How to express 'narrowly' in Japanese, covering meanings like barely, by a small margin, in a limited way, and with close attention.
Expressing that something almost didn't happen, or happened by a very small amount.
A common adverb meaning 'barely' or 'narrowly', often used when a negative outcome was just avoided.
I narrowly passed the exam.
He narrowly escaped the accident.
Means 'just barely' or 'by a hair's breadth', often used in casual speech for time, limits, or physical closeness.
I narrowly caught the train.
I was saved at the very last moment.
Literally 'at the last moment', used when something almost happened but was narrowly avoided.
I was narrowly hit by a car.
Means 'almost' or 'narrowly', often paired with a verb in the negative or a phrase indicating a close call.
I was almost late.
Describing an action or interpretation that is narrow in scope or focus.
Looking at something very carefully, often with suspicion.
Both mean 'barely', but かろうじて is more formal and often used in writing or serious situations. ぎりぎり is casual and commonly used for time limits or physical margins.
He narrowly survived.
Just barely safe!
Avoid directly translating 'narrowly' as 狭く (せまく) when you mean 'barely'. Use かろうじて or ぎりぎり instead.
This rule is applied narrowly.
The police narrowly examined the case.