一応 – Ichiou for now, Kind of sort of, but just in case not really
一応 is a word in Japanese that means something is a sort of like something, or only like that temporarily. People commonly use 一応 but it does not quite line up perfectly with any English words.
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Translating 一応 from Japanese to English
No single word fits as a perfect translation for 一応. But it can be translated into English as some of the example phrases below:
■ for the time being
■ for now
■ sort of
■ kind of
■ just in case
■ technically
Specific Situations when to use 一応
Temporary or Tentative Situations
Deciding on doing something or letting something be a certain way temporarily:
一応ホテルの予約をしておこう
For now, let’s just make a hotel reservation
When 一応 represents a temporary or tentative state like the example above, it is similar to another word 取り敢えず.
Kind of, Sort of
一応 is a very convenient word for those times when you are not really sure about something. For instance, if someone asks you something but you are not that confident if your situation qualifies as a yes or no.
一応これでご飯が出来上がりだ
the food is kind of ready
The above sentence suggests that you have finished making the meal but it may not be perfect. The poor fellow who will be eating the meal may not be happy with the results. Here, kind of or sort of is an ok translation. However, if you wanted something closer to what the sentence’s intention is you would get:
The meal may not be satisfactory or not totally correct but this should be fine so we are just going to call it done.
Technically
This usage of 一応 is very similar to the meaning kind of. In the example sentence previously though, there is a nuance that something may not be completely right. For example, the person with who you are sharing a dish with may not consider it authentic. Whatever the situation is, 一応 can also be used when something is in fact 100% true but with a sense of apprehension.
空港を出ていないけど一応日本に行ったことがある
I never left the airport but technically I have been to Japan
When most people go traveling they don’t really consider layovers in a country as going to that country. But, they would be incorrect to say they have not been to that country.
Just to Make sure
So, as already mentioned, 一応 is convenient for times you are not totally sure about something. In the same way, 一応 can be used when others are not really sure either.
今の時間だったら誰もいないはずだけど、一応電話して確認してみる
There should not be anyone there at this time but I will call and check just to make sure
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