Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 1: 13/24

一応(いちおう) ②more or less, for the time being, tentatively, roughly

Structure

一応 + Phrase

Details

  • Standard

About 一応 ②

When used as an adverb, 一応(いちおう) can often carry the nuance of (A) not being perfect or ideal, but the minimum required in order to satisfy some requirement. This 'requirement' is frequently related to the time or amount of something. When used this way, 一応(いちおう) may be interpreted as 'more or less, (A)', 'for the time being, (A)', or 'tentatively (A)'.

This use of 一応(いちおう) is in contrast to the other common use of 一応(いちおう), which can be translated as 'just in case', or 'just to be sure'. In these cases, the speaker is usually indicating that (A) is being done in order to avoid or prevent (B). However, in both of its uses, it simply indicates that (A) is the minimum amount which is fulfilling some requirement.

Related

Examples

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  • 「もうコンピュータを直(なお)したの？」
    「一応(いちおう)ね。時間(じかん)がかかったけど。」

    'Have you repaired the computer?'
    'More or less. It took a while though.'

  • 医者(いしゃ)、患者(かんじゃ)について：「ふう…一応(いちおう)、容態(ようだい)は安定化(あんていか)できました。」

    Doctor, about a patient: '*sighing* We were able to stabilize her condition, for the time being.'

  • 若(わか)く見(み)えるメリオダズさん：「これでも一応(いちおう)、僕(ぼく)は大人(おとな)なんです。」

    Young looking Meliodaz: 'Despite this (the way I look), I am more or less an adult.'

  • 部長(ぶちょう)：「残念(ざんねん)ながらもう時間(じかん)がありませんので、これで一応(いちおう)会議(かいぎ)は終(お)わりです。」

    Head of the department: 'Unfortunately, we have run out of time, so with that, the meeting is finished for the time being.'

  • 転(ころ)んだ友達(ともだち)１(いち)に話(はな)しかける友達(ともだち)２(に)：「大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)？」
    友達(ともだち)１(いち)：「一応(いちおう)。」

    Friend2 talks to Friend1 who has fallen: 'Are you ok?'
    Friend1: 'More or less.'

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一応 ② – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (5 in total)

  • s1212z

    s1212z

    Thank you @Fuga for explaining and the examples, makes sense!

  • curiousmouse88

    curiousmouse88

    今夜は寒くなるかも知れないから、一応ジャケットかなんか持ってきな。

    In this example, how does 持ってきな translate to “why don’t you take? …” Is it a contraction of some existing Japanese grammar points? I’m sorry if I’m asking a silly question that is obvious to some.

  • casual

    casual

    持ってきな is familiar shortened version of 持ってきなさい, which is a combination of てくる (JLPT N4) | Bunpro and なさい (JLPT N4) | Bunpro

    It’s not a silly question at all, and besides we are all here to learn.

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