| とりあえず (toriaezu) | とにかく (tonikaku) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | For now / first of all / in the meantime | Anyway / at any rate / regardless |
| Nuance | Temporary action before the real thing | Moving past distractions to what matters |
| Register | Casual to neutral | Casual to neutral |
| Feel | “Let’s start with this for now” | “Whatever the case, let’s do this” |
YukaI hear とりあえず and とにかく a lot. Both seem to mean “anyway” but they feel different.
ReiExactly! とりあえず is about taking a first step — “for now” or “to start.” とにかく dismisses everything else and focuses — “anyway” or “regardless of everything.”
What Does とりあえず (toriaezu) Mean?
とりあえず means for now, first of all, or in the meantime. It describes a temporary or provisional action taken before the full situation is resolved. In Japan, it is famously the first word said when ordering drinks at a restaurant — “first, beer!”
- とりあえず、ビールで！ — Beer for now! (ordering drinks first at a restaurant)
- とりあえず確認してみます。 — I’ll check for now / as a first step.
- とりあえず座って。 — Sit down for now.
- とりあえず連絡してみよう。 — Let’s try contacting them for now.
What Does とにかく (tonikaku) Mean?
とにかく means anyway, at any rate, or regardless. It sets aside complications, excuses, or alternative options and focuses on what matters. It is often used to cut through discussion and emphasize the main point.
- とにかく、やってみよう！ — Anyway, let’s give it a try!
- とにかく急いで！ — Hurry up, anyway / just hurry!
- 難しくても、とにかく続ける。 — Even if it’s hard, I’ll keep going regardless.
- とにかく彼女は優しい。 — In any case / whatever you say, she is kind.
Key Differences
| Feature | とりあえず | とにかく |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | For now / provisional first step | Anyway / regardless / cutting to the point |
| Implies more to come? | Yes — just the beginning | Not necessarily |
| Used to order drinks? | Yes — famous restaurant usage | No |
| Used to brush aside? | No | Yes — ignoring complications |
| Interchangeable? | Sometimes in casual speech | Sometimes, but nuance differs |
YukaCan I use both to say “just do it”?
ReiBoth work, but differently! とりあえずやって means “just do it for now (we’ll figure out the rest later).” とにかくやって means “just do it regardless (stop overthinking!).” Subtle but real difference!
Common Patterns
- とりあえず〇〇から始めよう — Let’s start from X for now
- とりあえずビール — Beer first! (classic Japanese restaurant order)
- とにかく〇〇すること — The point is to do X / make sure to do X regardless
- とにかく大変だった — It was tough, to say the least
Quick Quiz
Fill in: とりあえず or とにかく?
- 1. ___、落ち着いて話しましょう。 (Anyway, let’s calm down and talk.)
- 2. ___、座ってください。 (Please sit down for now.)
- 3. ___何があっても諦めない！ (Regardless of what happens, I won’t give up!)
- 4. ___ビールを注文した。 (I ordered beer first.)
Answers: 1. とにかく 2. とりあえず 3. とにかく 4. とりあえず
Summary
| とりあえず | とにかく | |
|---|---|---|
| Core image | A provisional first step | Cutting through everything to the point |
| Best for | Starting something, ordering first | Insisting on a point, brushing aside doubts |
| Famous use | とりあえずビール (beer first!) | とにかく頑張れ (just do your best!) |
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