JLPT N1・N2 Grammar – Difference between “とりあえず” and “一応”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “とりあえず” and “一応“
2. とりあえず VS 一応
3. とりあえず
4. 一応
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: Can “とりあえず” and “一応” be used interchangeably?
A: There are cases where they can be used interchangeably and cases where they cannot.
“とりあえず” has two meanings.
The first is “to do something first, leaving sufficient things for later,” and the second is “not thinking about the future and only focusing on the current state.”
It also reflects the speaker’s attitude of not worrying about a perfect state and being willing to proceed with a provisional state.
The meaning of “一応” is “not perfect but meeting the minimum requirement” or “almost good enough.”
They seem similar but are slightly different.
Let’s consider this while looking at some examples.
とりあえず VS 一応
In the following cases, either can be appropriate depending on the speaker’s perspective.
[Examples]
① とりあえず会議に出席しておこう。
For now, let’s attend the meeting.
② 一応会議に出席しておこう。
Let’s attend the meeting just in case.
In case ①, it means attending the meeting “now” without thinking about the future.
In case ②, it implies that attending the meeting is the minimum requirement for the speaker.
とりあえず (JLPT N1)
Next, let’s consider cases where they cannot be used interchangeably. These are examples of everyday conversations used by Japanese people, where “一応” cannot be substituted.
[Example 1] (At a restaurant)
A：ご注文はいかがされますか。
B：とりあえずビールで。
A: What would you like to order?
B: For now, a beer please.
⇒ Putting off ordering food and first ordering a beer for now.
[Example 2] （At the office）
A：この企画でどうでしょうか。
B：とりあえずこれでやってみよう。
A: How about this plan?
B: Let’s try this for now.
⇒ It expresses the idea of not thinking about the future and trying the plan as it is now.
一応 (JLPT N2)
Next, let’s look at examples where “とりあえず” cannot be used as a substitute.
[Example 1]
A：この部屋、使えるのかな。
B：一応、先生に聞いてみようか。
A: I wonder if we can use this room.
B: Let’s ask the teacher just in case.
⇒ Here, since getting some kind of permission from the teacher is the “minimum necessary state,” “一応” is appropriate.
[Example 2]
雨が降るかな、一応かさを持っていこう。
I wonder if it will rain. Let’s take an umbrella just in case.
⇒ It indicates the minimum necessary state (carrying an umbrella) in case of rain.
Summary
とりあえず
- The focus is on “now.”
- It is used when “leaving sufficient things for later and doing something simple now” or “not thinking about the future and only focusing on the current state.”
一応
- It is used to indicate “not perfect but sufficient in the minimum necessary state” or “acceptable in a certain state.”
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. とりあえず
みんなまだ来ていないけど、とりあえず会議を始めましょうか。
Everyone hasn’t arrived yet, but let’s start the meeting for now.
*Since starting the meeting now leaves the sufficient state of “everyone arriving” for later, “とりあえず” is appropriate.
A. 一応
一応来る前に連絡してください。家にいるようにしますから。
Please contact me before you come, just in case. I’ll make sure to be home.
*Because it mentions “getting in touch” to ensure the state of being at home, “一応” is appropriate.。
A. とりあえず
あれ、塩がないな。とりあえず今は塩なしで料理しよう。
Oh, there’s no salt. For now, let’s cook without it.
*While having salt is the sufficient state, cooking now without salt fits the meaning of “とりあえず.”
A. 一応
一応社長の許可はもらえたし、この計画を進めていこう。
We have the president’s approval for now, so let’s proceed with this plan.
*Since the president’s approval is the minimum necessary state for proceeding with the plan, “一応” is appropriate.
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