How do you say "It takes time." in Japanese?

"It takes time." in Japanese is "時間がかかっています。". This phrase is commonly used in Japan.

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How to Say ‘It takes time.’ in Japanese

Q: What does "時間がかかっています。" mean in English?

"時間がかかっています。" means "It takes time." in English. Usage tip: [時間がかかっています。] politely says that a task is taking time. It often implies a delay, but gently.

時間がかかっています。

jikan ga kakatsu te i masu

[jee-kahn gah kah-kaht teh ee mahss]

💬 Usage Tip: [時間がかかっています。] politely says that a task is taking time. It often implies a delay, but gently.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese often avoids blunt statements like “We are late.” A phrase like this can sound more tactful and professional.

Phrase Breakdown

時間

jikan

[jee-kahn]

time

A noun meaning time or duration.

Example

時間がかかっていますが、もう少し待ってください。

It is taking time, but please wait a little longer.

がかかっています

ga kakatsu te i masu

is taking; has been taking time

Shows that something is consuming time or is delayed.

Example

準備に時間がかかっています。

Preparation is taking time.

Words in this phrase

が

[gah]

subject marker

Marks the subject, here showing what is involved in the action.

Example

準備がまだ終わりません。

The preparation is not finished yet.

かかっ

kakatsu

[kah-kaht]

is taking

Verb stem from かかる, used here in the progressive polite form.

Example

修正に時間がかかっています。

The revisions are taking time.

て

[teh]

-te form connector

Connects to いる to create an ongoing action or state.

Example

内容を読んで確認します。

I will read the contents and confirm them.

い

[ee]

to be; ongoing

Part of ています, expressing continuation.

Example

今、対応しているところです。

We are dealing with it now.

ます

masu

[mahss]

polite ending

Adds politeness to the verb phrase.

Example

後で連絡します。

I will contact you later.

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