for the time being
for the time being は英検2級レベルの英単語で、「当分の間、さしあたり」という意味があります。発音記号は /fɔːr ðə taɪm ˈbiːɪŋ/ です。
意味一覧 (2件)
当分の間
解説 Definition
将来的には変わるかもしれないが、当面の間はという意味を表す表現。
For the time being means for now or for a limited period, until something changes. It is used when a situation is temporary and not meant to be permanent. The phrase often suggests that another decision or action may come later.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
for the time being は「今そうである時間のあいだ」と分けて考えると、「当分の間」に結びつきます。being は現在の状態を思わせる語なので、将来は変わる可能性があるが、今のところその状態を保つという含みがあります。住む場所をそのままにする、営業を続ける、判断を保留して現状を続けるなど、一定期間続く状態に使いやすい表現です。
Break it into for, the time, and being. The word being points to the present state. The phrase means while things are like this now, with a feeling that the situation may change later.
例文
We'll stay in this apartment for the time being.
当分の間、このアパートに住むつもりだ。
For the time being, let's focus on the most urgent tasks.
当分の間、最も緊急な作業に集中しよう。
The company decided to freeze hiring for the time being.
会社は当分の間、採用を凍結することにした。
さしあたり
(意味 2)解説 Definition
今すぐ最終決定できないときに、暫定的にそうするという意味で使う表現です。計画、対応、判断などについて「ひとまず今は」と述べ、後で変更される可能性を含みます。
"For the time being" means doing something temporarily when a final decision cannot be made yet. It is used for plans, responses, or judgments to show that this is the best choice for now. The expression often suggests that the situation may change later after more information or discussion.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
`for / the time / being` と分けると、`being` は「今ある状態」を表す名詞として見られます。つまり「今の状態に対しては」から、最終判断ではなく「さしあたり」という感覚になります。`for now` に近いですが、少し丁寧で、会議や説明文でも自然です。別エントリの「当分の間」は期間の長さに意識が向きやすく、こちらはまず取る暫定対応に焦点があります。
Try dividing it into "for / the time / being." Here, "being" can be understood as "the state that exists now," so the whole phrase suggests "for the present state." That is why it means "for now" or "for the time being," often with the idea that the decision is only temporary. It is close to "for now," but a little more polite and common in meetings or explanations.
例文
We'll use this room for the time being until the new office is ready.
新しいオフィスの準備ができるまで、さしあたりこの部屋を使います。
For the time being, the company will keep the current schedule and review it next month.
会社はさしあたり今の予定を維持し、来月見直します。
I can't give you a final answer today, but for the time being, let's proceed with plan A.
今日は最終的な返事はできませんが、さしあたりA案で進めましょう。
for the time being の語源・成り立ち Etymology
for the time being は for + the time + being で「その時である状態のあいだ」が原像。time は古英語 tima、being は be 動詞の名詞化で、「今そうある間だけ」という感覚から「当分の間」へ。timely や been も同系です。
This phrase is built from ordinary English parts: "for," "time," and "being." "Time" comes from Old English, and "being" is the noun form of "be," meaning a state of existing. The whole expression originally meant "during the present state of things," which later became the idea of something lasting only for now.
外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう