Translation and Meaning of: 経つ - tatsu

The Japanese word 経つ (たつ, tatsu) is an essential verb for anyone studying the language, especially when it comes to expressing the passage of time. If you've ever wondered how to say "time passes" in Japanese, this is the right word. In this article, we will explore its meaning, common uses, and even some curiosities about how it appears in the daily lives of Japanese people. Additionally, we will see how to memorize it efficiently and its role in cultural expressions.

Meaning and usage of 経つ

The verb 経つ has as its main meaning "to pass" or "to elapse", almost always related to time. Unlike other verbs that indicate physical movement, such as 行く (to go) or 来る (to come), 経つ is used exclusively for temporal situations. For example, the sentence "3 years have passed" would be "３年が経った" (sannen ga tatta).

An important detail is that 経つ is not used to describe events that happen within a period, but rather the passage of time itself. If someone says "time flies," in Japanese it would be more common to use expressions like 時間が飛ぶように過ぎる, but to say "ten minutes have passed," 経つ is the natural choice.

Origin and writing of the kanji 経

The kanji 経 (けい, kei) has an interesting history. It is composed of the radical 糸 (ito, thread) and the component 巠, which used to represent the idea of "to order" or "to organize." Originally, this character was related to weaving and the organization of threads, but over time it gained more abstract meanings, such as "experience" or "passage."

In modern writing, 経 is used in words such as 経験 (けいけん, keiken - experience) and 経済 (けいざい, keizai - economy). When it appears alone as a verb (経つ), it retains the idea of something that "travels" or "passes," reinforcing its connection with time.

Tips for memorizing and using 経つ

An effective way to remember 経つ is to associate it with everyday situations. Think of sentences like "How much time has passed?" (どのくらい時間が経った？) or "I didn't notice the time passing" (時間が経つのを忘れた). Repeating these examples out loud helps to internalize the verb.

Another tip is to observe its use in dramas and animes. In emotional scenes, characters often say things like "長い時間が経った" (a long time has passed) to express longing or changes. This natural exposure to the language makes learning easier.

Curiosities about 経つ in Japanese culture

In Japan, the passage of time is often associated with personal reflections. Proverbs like 時は金なり (time is money) show how seriously the theme is taken. 経つ appears in contexts ranging from informal conversations to more philosophical speeches.

In festivals like the 忘年会 (year-end party), it is common to hear expressions like "また一年が経ちました" (another year has passed), marking the rapid perception of time in Japanese culture. This verb, therefore, is not just grammatical – it carries significant emotional and cultural weight.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 過ぎる (sugiru) - exceed, spend (time)
• 時が過ぎる (toki ga sugiru) - time passes
• 時間が経つ (jikan ga tatsu) - time passes
• 時が経つ (toki ga tatsu) - time passes
• 月日が経つ (tsukihi ga tatsu) - the days and months go by
• 年月が過ぎる (toshi tsuki ga sugiru) - the years and months go by

経つ

Romaji: tatsu
Kana: たつ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: to spend; to cut

Meaning in English: to pass;to lapse

Definition: that things change with time.

Example Sentences - (経つ) tatsu

See below some example sentences:

半分の時間が経ちました。

Hanbun no jikan ga tachimashita

Half the time has passed.

The middle of the time has passed.

• 半分 (hanbun) - half
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 経ちました (tachimashita) - passed, took place