いよいよ

い

よ

い

よ

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 5,000

Meanings

1

usually written using kana alone

Expresses a gradual increase in degree or intensity, often with a sense of anticipation or inevitability.

台たい風ふうがいよいよ近ちかづいてきた。

The typhoon is getting closer and closer.

試し合あいはいよいよ面おも白しろくなってきた。

The game has become increasingly exciting.

2

at last; finally; beyond doubt

usually written using kana alone

Marks the long-awaited arrival of a moment or the final confirmation of something, often with emotional weight.

3

at the last moment; at the worst possible time

usually written using kana alone

Used when something critical happens right at the end or when a situation is most urgent; often appears in set phrases like いよいよという時.

いよいよ〈形けい容よう詞し〉なるto become increasingly ~ (as a climax approaches)
台たい風ふうが近ちかづき、風かぜはいよいよ強つよくなってきた。
As the typhoon approached, the wind grew increasingly strong.
いよいよ〈事こと〉が始はじまるthe long-awaited ~ finally begins
長ながい準じゅん備びを終おえて、いよいよ試し合あいが始はじまる。
After long preparation, the match is finally about to begin.
いよいよという時ときat the critical moment; when it really comes down to it
いよいよという時ときに限かぎって、パソコンが動うごかなくなった。
Just at the critical moment, my computer stopped working.

ますますN3sense 1
ますます describes a steady, neutral increase, while いよいよ often adds a sense of climax or inevitability to the increase.
ついにN3sense 2
ついに focuses on the end of a long process, whereas いよいよ highlights the arrival of a moment that has been anxiously anticipated.
等とう々とう sense 2
とうとう is a plain way to say something finally happened, while いよいよ carries more emotional weight and a sense of climax.
弥いや
弥 is an archaic literary adverb meaning 'more and more', while いよいよ is the modern standard word used for the same meaning today.
うたた
いよいよ often marks a climax or long-awaited moment, whereas 転 simply expresses a gradual, literary intensification without that sense of arrival.

Derived from reduplication of いよ, an old adverb meaning 'more and more'. The exact origin of いよ is uncertain.

弥いよ

々いよ

Usage<1%

rarely-used kanji form

Rarely used kanji form.