Japanese meaning of 時期尚早
Reading:
じきしょうそう (jiki shousou)
English Translation:
Jumping the gun
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
To begin an activity or take action before the situation is appropriate or before proper preparations are complete, often resulting in poor outcomes.
時期や状況がまだ整っていないのに物事を始めてしまうこと。焦りや誤った判断による失敗の原因となります。
Cultural Context:
From Japanese bureaucratic and political language, now also common in business and media to signal caution.
官僚・政治用語に由来し、現代ではビジネスやメディアでも慎重さを促す表現として使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase often followed by “だ” to indicate premature action.
Trap for English Speakers
May be confused with “earliest opportunity” instead of “too early.”
Example
Basic Example
それを決定するのは時期尚早だ。
It’s too early to decide that.
Applied Example
「今は動くな。時期尚早だ。」
Don’t make a move now. It’s premature.