しばし

し

ば

し

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

adverb, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

usually written using kana alone

Literary or formal adverb meaning 'for a little while' or 'soon'. Often used in written language or polite speech; in casual conversation しばらく is more common.

しばしお待まちください。
Please wait a moment.
しばしの別わかれを惜おしんだ。
We lamented our brief parting.

See all 15 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

しばし〈動どう詞し〉to do something for a short while
彼かれはしばし考かんがえた後あと、答こたえた。
He thought for a moment before answering.
しばしの〈事こと〉a brief spell of ~
しばしの休きゅう息そくを取とった。
He took a brief rest.
しばし〈場ば所しょ〉を離はなれるto leave a place for a little while
しばし席せきを離はなれます。
I'll be away from my seat for a little while.