時間を置く

• Reading: じかんをおく
• Romaji: jikan wo oku
• Kanji breakdown: 時 (ji) — time, hour; 間 (kan) — interval, between; 置 (oku/chi) — place, put, set
• Pronunciation: /dʑi.kaɴ.o.o.kɯ/

Meaning

To leave some time; to take a moment; to let time pass. To wait or put a time interval between actions.

A verb phrase meaning to allow time to pass between events or actions. Used when advising someone to wait before acting, to cool down after an argument, or to let something settle. The expression emphasises deliberate waiting rather than passive delay. Common in advice-giving contexts and interpersonal situations. Can also be used practically, such as letting food rest or waiting between doses of medicine.

Examples

1. 少し時間を置いてから返事をした方がいい。 It's better to wait a little while before replying.
2. 怒っているときは時間を置いて冷静になろう。 When you're angry, give it some time and calm yourself down.
3. 薬を飲んだら時間を置いてから食事してください。 After taking medicine, please wait a while before eating.

Usage Guide

Context: advice, interpersonal, health, cooking

Tone: calm

Origin & History

From Japanese: 時間 (jikan, time) + を (wo, object particle) + 置く (oku, to place/put). Literally 'to place time' — to insert a gap of time between actions.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal