とりあえず

adverb

for now; for the time being; first of all

1. for now; for the time being

Indicates doing something as a temporary or provisional measure.

とりあえずこれで大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)だと思(おも)います。

I think this is fine for now.

時間(じかん)がないから、とりあえず始(はじ)めよう。

We don't have time, so let's just start.

結果(けっか)はまだわからないが、とりあえず出(だ)してみよう。

I don't know the result yet, but let's submit it for now.

2. first of all; to start with

Indicates something as the first step before other things.

とりあえずビールで乾杯(かんぱい)しよう。

Let's start with beer for now.

Very common at izakayas

とりあえずメニューを見(み)てから決(き)めよう。

Let's look at the menu first and then decide.

とりあえず自己紹介(じこしょうかい)から始(はじ)めましょう。

Let's start with introductions first.

とりあえず conveys doing something as a temporary first step without committing to a final decision. Extremely common in everyday conversation.

KANJI:
Can be written as 取(と)り敢(あ)えず, though hiragana is standard.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

とりあえずビール: "beer first" (iconic phrase when ordering at an 居酒屋(いざかや))
とりあえず連絡(れんらく)します: I'll contact you for now
とりあえずやってみる: just try it for now

NUANCE:
Implies the action is provisional — a better solution or decision may come later. It softens requests and suggestions by framing them as non-final.

SIMILAR WORDS:

一旦(いったん): temporarily, for the moment (emphasis on pausing)
差(さ)し当(あ)たり: for the time being (more formal/written)
まず: first of all (sequential, not provisional)

Related Words

Synonym: 一旦(いったん) (temporarily)

Synonym: 差(さ)し当(あ)たり (for the time being (formal))

Related: まず (first of all)

general

Added 2026.1.16 12:28 · Revised 2026.6.5 4:10

05000/05209_toriaezu