Approaching meanings in Japanese

近づく (ちかづく)

Example:

The train is approaching the station.

列車が駅に近づいています。

As we approached the mountain, the view became clearer.

山に近づくにつれて、景色がはっきりしてきました。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used in both everyday and formal contexts, often in relation to physical movement or distance.

Note: This word can refer to both literal and metaphorical approaching, such as a deadline or an event.

接近する (せっきんする)

Example:

The storm is approaching quickly.

嵐が急速に接近しています。

The car is approaching from behind.

車が後ろから接近しています。

Usage: FormalContext: Typically used in more formal contexts, such as news reports or scientific discussions.

Note: This term often implies a sense of urgency or potential danger.

近づきつつある (ちかづきつつある)

Example:

We are approaching the end of the project.

私たちはプロジェクトの終わりに近づきつつあります。

The deadline is approaching.

締切が近づきつつあります。

Usage: Formal/InformalContext: Used to describe a gradual move towards a point in time or a goal.

Note: Often used in contexts where time or progress is being discussed.

接近中 (せっきんちゅう)

Example:

We are currently approaching the halfway mark.

現在、半分の地点に接近中です。

The aircraft is in the process of approaching the runway.

航空機は滑走路に接近中です。

Usage: InformalContext: Commonly used in casual conversations or informal contexts to describe an ongoing action.

Note: This is a present continuous form, indicating an action that is currently happening.

approaching

Getting closer in distance or time.

Example: The train is approaching the station.

Note: N/A

nearing

Moving closer to a specific point in time or place.

Example: The deadline is nearing, so we need to finish the project soon.

Note: Similar to 'approaching' but with a focus on reaching a specific point.

closing in

Approaching or nearing in a determined manner.

Example: The police are closing in on the suspect.

Note: Often used in contexts of pursuit or capture.

on the horizon

Refers to something that is expected or likely to happen in the near future.

Example: The company has new projects on the horizon for the upcoming year.

Note: Implies a sense of anticipation or expectation rather than just the act of getting closer.

in the offing

Indicates that something is likely to happen soon or be completed soon.

Example: There are changes in the offing for the department's structure.

Note: Implies that the event or situation is imminent or about to happen, not just approaching.

drawing near

Means that something is approaching or getting close in time or distance.

Example: The deadline for the project is drawing near.

Note: Focuses on the imminent arrival or occurrence of something.

coming up

Refers to an event or situation that is approaching or about to happen.

Example: The exams are coming up, so make sure to study hard.

Note: Suggests that the event is on the schedule or agenda, and it's time to prepare for it.

on the brink

Indicates that something is at the point of a significant change or event.

Example: The company is on the brink of a major breakthrough in technology.

Note: Conveys a sense of being very close to a critical or decisive moment or outcome.

round the corner

Means that something is very close to happening or arriving.

Example: The holiday season is just around the corner.

Note: Implies that the event or situation is imminent and can be expected very soon.

approaching fast

Means that something is getting closer rapidly in time or distance.

Example: The deadline is approaching fast, so we need to speed up our work.

Note: Emphasizes the quick pace at which the approach is happening.

almost there

This slang term implies that the goal or destination is very close or within reach.

Example: We're almost there, just a few more steps to go.

Note: It focuses on the proximity to the goal without specifying a particular distance or time frame.

on the cusp of

This expression suggests being at the edge or point of achieving something significant or transitioning to a new stage.

Example: We are on the cusp of a breakthrough in our research.

Note: It conveys a sense of imminent achievement or change.

nearing the finish line

This phrase indicates that something is close to completion or reaching its final stages.

Example: The project is nearing the finish line; we just need to finalize a few details.

Note: It specifically refers to the final part of a process or journey, emphasizing progress towards completion.

well on our way

This colloquial expression means making good progress or being in a state of advancement towards a goal or destination.

Example: We're well on our way to meeting our sales target for the quarter.

Note: It emphasizes being in a state of progress rather than just beginning the process.

closing in on

This slang term suggests nearing or getting closer to a target, objective, or person.

Example: We're closing in on the suspect; we should apprehend them soon.

Note: It implies a focused and imminent approach, often in a pursuit or chase context.

getting warmer

This playful expression alludes to the idea of getting closer to the correct answer, location, or solution.

Example: You're getting warmer in your search; the item you're looking for is close.

Note: It uses a metaphor related to heat to convey proximity or progress rather than the literal sense of approaching.

knocking on the door

This slang phrase signifies being very close to achieving a significant success or breakthrough.

Example: We're knocking on the door of a major breakthrough; it's just within reach.

Note: It uses the visual of knocking on a door to symbolize proximity to a desired outcome or achievement.

Approaching the finish line, the runners increased their speed.

The approaching storm brought heavy rain and strong winds.

The pilot made a smooth approach to the runway.

Approaching - Verb (Verb) / Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle)

Lemma: approach

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): approaches, approach

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): approach

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): approached

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): approaching

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): approaches

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): approach

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): approach

Syllabification and Stress

approaching Contains 2 syllables: ap • proach

Phonetic transcription: ə-ˈprōch

ap proach , ə ˈprōch (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

approaching: ~ 2200 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Approaching