Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "It" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "it", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
そろそろ
そろそろ (sorosoro)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
〜はず
〜はず (〜hazu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "it" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between そろそろ and 〜はず.
In Japanese, そろそろ (そろそろ (sorosoro)) is typically associated with "it is about time to; soon; gradually" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Suggests that it's nearly time for something to happen or for one to do something, often implying a gentle prompt or reminder..
On the other hand, 〜はず (〜はず (〜hazu)) maps to "it should be, it is expected to be, it is supposed to be" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Expresses a strong expectation or probability based on some information, reasoning, or common sense. Not 100% certainty, but close.. A literal translation of "it" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "そろそろ"
そろそろ出かける時間ですよ。
It's about time to leave.
Bilingual Context for "〜はず"
彼はもう駅に着いているはずだ。
He should have arrived at the station by now.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ 出かける時間ですよ。" (Meaning: "It's about time to leave.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "そろそろ" fits here because it means "it is about time to; soon; gradually" in the context of: "It's about time to leave.". "〜はず" represents "it should be, it is expected to be, it is supposed to be".