Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Just" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "just", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
ちょうど
ちょうど (chōdo)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
矢先
やさき (yasaki)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "just" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between ちょうど and 矢先.
In Japanese, ちょうど (ちょうど (chōdo)) is typically associated with "just; exactly; precisely" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Indicates precise accuracy in time, location, quantity, or timing. Often used as ちょうど3時 or ちょうど良いサイズ. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Just! "Your hand is just the perfect size to fit in mine, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Perfect hand size! B-Baka! Don't make such tactile, romantic fits so casually! But... since they fit so perfectly, make sure you never let go of my hand, even when we walk through crowds! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ちょうど（ちょうど）よ！『ハルカ部長、あなたの淹れてくれたコーヒー、ちょうど良い甘さと温かさで、飲むたびに心が最高に癒されます！』って…っ！ちょうど良いコーヒー！バカ！/// 砂糖の量をあんたの好みにちょうど合わせただけなんだから！…でも、その嬉しそうな笑顔を見ていると、一生淹れてあげたくなっちゃうじゃないの！』.
On the other hand, 矢先 (やさき (yasaki)) maps to "just about to (do something), on the verge of, right after" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Indicates a very precise moment, usually just before or right after an event. Often used with a verb in dictionary form + の. A literal translation of "just" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "ちょうど"
彼がオフィスのパソコンを立ち上げて仕事を開始した_______その時、クライアントから重要な緊急メールが届きました。
At just the moment he turned on the office computer and started work, an important emergency email arrived from the client.
Bilingual Context for "矢先"
家を出ようとした矢先に電話が鳴った。
Just as I was about to leave the house, the phone rang.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼がオフィスのパソコンを立ち上げて仕事を開始した_______その時、クライアントから重要な緊急メールが届きました。" (Meaning: "At just the moment he turned on the office computer and started work, an important emergency email arrived from the client.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ちょうど" fits here because it means "just; exactly; precisely" in the context of: "At just the moment he turned on the office computer and started work, an important emergency email arrived from the client.". "矢先" represents "just about to (do something), on the verge of, right after".