N2105/217

一旦

一旦 + Vて/ Vた + から一旦 + Vて + 後で/ もう一度一旦 + N + の後で一旦 + 〜れば/ 〜ても (decision postponement)

Meanings

  • for now
  • for the time being
  • temporarily
  • once (a situation has occurred)
  • after doing something once, then...

About this pattern

Explanation

一旦 marks a temporary or provisional stance. It often signals that the following action is a stopgap or interim step, or that a situation will be reconsidered later. It can precede a decision, a change of plan, or a more thorough action after an initial step. It is frequently used before put-off decisions, or before taking a break, pausing, or postponing until later. It is common with te-form verbs to indicate that you will do something temporarily or after taking a short pause, or to precede a change of plan after doing something once.

Learn in context

Example sentences

一旦外に出て、暑さを避けよう。

Let's step outside for a moment to avoid the heat.

一旦戻ってから、改めて話しましょう。

Let's go back for a moment and discuss it again.

一旦計画を中止しますが、後日再検討します。

We'll temporarily suspend the plan, but we'll reconsider it later.

一旦彼の話を聞いてから判断する。

I'll judge after I hear his side, for now.

一旦休憩を取ってから続けます。

I'll take a short break for now and continue.