しばらく
しばらく
adverb
for a while; for some time
1.
for a while; for some time
Indicates a period of time, usually moderate in length.
しばらくお待ちください。
Please wait for a moment.
Polite request
しばらくの間、日本にいます。
I'll be in Japan for a while.
しばらく考えさせてください。
Please let me think about it for a while.
しばらく休んでから続けよう。
Let's take a break for a while and then continue.
しばらく連絡がなかった。
I haven't heard from them for a while.
しばらく様子を見よう。
Let's wait and see for a while.
2.
it has been a while
Used when seeing someone after a period of absence.
しばらく会っていませんでしたね。
We haven't seen each other for a while, have we?
しばらくぶりですね。
It's been a while, hasn't it?
Common greeting after absence
しばらくですね、元気でしたか？
It's been a while! Have you been well?
しばらく見ないうちに大きくなったね。
You've grown so much since I last saw you!
しばらくぶりに故郷に帰ったら、駅前がすっかり変わっていた。
When I returned to my hometown after a long time, the area in front of the station had completely changed.
しばらく indicates an unspecified duration—from minutes to months depending on context.
TWO MAIN USES:
1. Duration: "for a while"
2. Elapsed time: "it's been a while"
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- しばらくお待ちください: Please wait a moment (polite)
- しばらくぶり/しばらくですね: It's been a while (greeting)
- しばらくの間: for some time
- しばらく見ない間に: while I wasn't looking
CONTRAST:
- ちょっと/少し: a short while (more specific)
- しばらく: a while (vague, flexible)
- 長い間: a long time (more specific)
NOTE:
The actual duration しばらく represents varies greatly by context. In "しばらくお待ちください," it might mean seconds; in "しばらく日本にいます," it could mean months.