しばらく・暫く・暫らく・姑く・須臾shibaraku[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

JLPT N4approx.Common
Definitions
  1. adverb, suru verbfor a moment; for a minute
    あなたは働はたらきすぎです。しばらく座すわって楽らくにしなさい。↗
    You are working too hard. Sit down and take it easy for a while.
  2. adverbfor a while; for some time
    ここしばらく彼かれにまるで会あわない。↗
    I haven't seen anything of him for some time.
  3. adverbfor the time being; for now
    昨日きのうトムはバイクの事故じこでけがをしたので、しばらく体育たいいくの授業じゅぎょうには出でられません。↗
    Yesterday, Tom was injured in a motorbike accident, so he can't attend gym class for the time being.
  4. interjectionit's been a long time; long time no see
Conjugation
Dictionary formしばらくする
Polite (masu)しばらくします
Negative (nai)しばらくしない
polite (masen)しばらくしません
classical zu / nuしばらくせず・しばらくせぬ
Past (ta)しばらくした
polite (mashita)しばらくしました
Past negative (nakatta)しばらくしなかった
polite (masen deshita)しばらくしませんでした
Te formしばらくして
Potentialしばらくできる
Passiveしばらくされる
Causativeしばらくさせる
Causative passiveしばらくさせられる
Conditional (ba)しばらくすれば
taraしばらくしたら
Volitionalしばらくしよう
polite (mashou)しばらくしましょう
Imperativeしばらくしろ

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Antonym直ちにただちにWrittenThe formal antonym of 「暫く」's 'for some time' sense: it means at once, without any delay, as in 「直ちに避難」. Belongs to written/formal prose.
  • AntonymすぐにNeutralThe neutral antonym of 「暫く」's 'after a while' sense: it means right away, as in 「すぐに戻る」. Very common in colloquial speech.

「暫く」 is the default for 'a while' or 'a period of time'. For 'right away', choose formal 「直ちに」 in writing or formal contexts, colloquial 「すぐに」 in everyday speech.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. (「しばらく」とも訓くんずる)ほんの少すこしの間あいだ。
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android