一旦[ittan]: once/for a moment

August 7, 2020

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It is an adverb and it means "once/for a moment ". It is used to describe situations in which you do something once/for a moment. It is often used to describe the outcome that once you start doing something, you can’t make it back to the way it was before.

I can’t focus on my study when I’m so sleepy. I’m going to rest for a moment.
眠い時は勉強に集中できない。一旦、休憩しよう。
Once my girlfriend gets upset with something I’ve done, she doesn't forgive me easily, no matter how many times I apologize.
僕の彼女は、一旦怒ると、どんなに謝ってもなかなか許してくれない。
Once you get hooked on SNS, you will never go back. You will be interested in what others post and who reacts to your posts all the time.
一旦SNSにハマると、もうやめられない。他の人が何を投稿しているかや、自分の投稿への反応が四六時中(orいつも)気になる。
Meg and Amy are talking about how to kill time on their days off.

  • Meg : I’m going to the yoga class this afternoon. You can join us if you like.
    午後からヨガに行くんだ。よければ、来ない?
  • Amy : I’d like to, but I've never done it. I'm not sure if I'll be able to keep up with you.
    行きたいけど、やった事がない。皆についていけるかな!?
  • Meg : Don't worry about it! It would be okay if you could even follow our pose. Once you get used to it, you’ll be able to keep up with us.
    心配しないで!皆のポーズを真似ればいいんだよ。一旦コツをつかめ(*)ば、ついてこられるよ。
Ken and Leo are talking about their shape.

  • Ken : I've been slacking off on my workout and I lost some muscles.
    運動をサボっているから、筋肉が落ちたよ。
  • Leo : Same here. I even started eating some snacks every day. Why don’t we go to the gym every day?
    俺も。毎日お菓子も食べ始めちゃった。毎日ジムに行かない?
  • Ken : Okay. We need to get out of this vicious cycle.
    いいよ。この悪循環から抜け出さないとね。
  • Leo : Yeah. Once we make it part of our daily routine, it’s not hard to keep in shape.
    うん。一旦習慣化すれば、体型を維持するのも難しくないよね。

*コツをつかむ: It means to get the hang of something.

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