Entry
そろっと
sorotto
Soon, momentarily, or it is about time to do something.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An adverb indicating that an action is about to begin or that it is time to move on to something else. It is highly associated with the Niigata dialect and functions very similarly to standard Japanese 'sorosoro'.
- Soon
- About time
Sense Map
Time to act
Used to indicate that it is time to do something (such as heading home or departing).
そろっと帰る
Approaching state
Used to indicate that something will happen or change momentarily.
そろっと春だ
Usage Note
How to Use
そろっと + verb
Placed before a verb to indicate that the action will happen soon or that it is time to do the action.
How to Use
Common Phrases
そろっと帰る
go home soon
そろっと始める
start soon
そろっと出かける
leave soon
そろっと行く
go soon
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prompting someone to leave | neutral | Often used gently at the end of a gathering to suggest it's time to head home. |
| Regional speech | neutral | Highly characteristic of the Niigata dialect, giving it a friendly, down-to-earth feel. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
そろそろ そろそろ / similar | Used as the standard Japanese equivalent for "soon" or "before long" in both casual and formal situations. | そろそろ is widely understood across Japan, whereas そろっと can sound like a regional dialect (especially Niigata) to many native speakers. | そろそろ帰る |
ぼちぼち ぼちぼち / similar | Used primarily in the Kansai dialect or casual speech to mean "gradually" or "soon". | ぼちぼち implies taking things slowly or step-by-step, while そろっと focuses on the impending timing. | ぼちぼち帰る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using そろっと in formal business emails to mean "soon".
そろっと is casual and often considered dialect; use formal words like 間もなく (mamonaku) or そろそろ for business contexts.
Using it to specify an exact time on the clock.
It is used for vague impending timing ("it's about time"), not exact schedules.
Examples
Examples
もう遅いし、そろっと帰ろうか。
もう おそいし、 そろっと かえろうか。
It's getting late, shall we head home soon?
LiteralA common expression to suggest heading home.
そろっと出かける準備をしよう。
そろっと でかける じゅんび を しよう。
Let's get ready to leave soon.
LiteralIndicates that the time to depart is approaching.
お腹が空いたし、そろっとご飯にしようか。
おなかが すいたし、 そろっと ごはん に しようか。
I'm hungry, shall we have a meal soon?
LiteralSuggesting that it is time to have a meal.
暗くなってきたし、そろっと行こう。
くらく なって きたし、 そろっと いこう。
It's getting dark, let's go soon.
LiteralShowing that it is time to move because the situation is changing.
そろっと暖かくなる頃だね。
そろっと あたたかく なる ころ だね。
It's about time it starts getting warm soon.
FigurativeExpressing that a season or state will change momentarily.
Similar Words
そろそろ
sorosoro
Sorosoro indicates that a specific time or event is approaching soon, or describes moving slowly and carefully. The standard Japanese equivalent of そろっと.
ぼつぼつ
botsubotsu
Indicates starting an action gradually or that it is time to do something soon, and also describes scattered spots or pimples.
ぼちぼち
bochibochi
Slowly but steadily, or soon at a leisurely pace. Used in the Kansai region with a similar meaning (soon/gradually).
Questions
Is sorotto a dialect?
Yes, it is widely used in the Niigata prefecture, though people in some other regions might use it or understand it from context.
Can I replace sorotto with sorosoro?
Yes, in almost all contexts, standard Japanese 'sorosoro' means the exact same thing as 'sorotto'.
How do I suggest leaving a party using sorotto?
You can say "Sorotto kaerou ka" (そろっと帰ろうか), which casually translates to "Shall we head home soon?".
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2835291
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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