Japanese meaning of 一日千秋
Reading:
いちじつせんしゅう (ichijitsu senshuu)
English Translation:
Time drags when you’re waiting
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To feel as though time is moving extremely slowly due to eager anticipation or anxiety about a desired event, making the wait seem much longer than it actually is.
Cultural Context:
Derived from Chinese poetry, where “autumn” symbolizes length and longing. In Japanese, it appears in literature, love letters, and songs to express deep yearning.
待ち望んでいる物事がなかなか実現せず、1日がとても長く感じられること。期待や不安のあまり、時間の経過が遅く感じる心情です。
中国の詩文に由来し、「秋」が長さや思慕を象徴する表現。日本では文学、恋文、歌詞などで強い待望の気持ちを表す際に使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase often used with “の思い” to emphasize longing.
Trap for English Speakers
May be confusing because “autumn” is in the phrase; English learners might not know it symbolizes length and longing.
Example
Basic Example
彼女に会える日を一日千秋の思いで待っている。
I’m waiting eagerly, feeling one day is like a thousand autumns, until I can see her.
Applied Example
彼は再会の日を一日千秋の思いで待ち続けた。
He waited for the reunion as time dragged on when he was waiting.