いよいよ卒業の時が来ました
2014年に12年が経とうとしています
でもそんな時に小さい夢が一つずつ叶ってその瞬間が嬉しくてもう少しだけ頑張ってみようと思いました
輝かせてくれてありがとうございました
This episode focuses on expressions used in farewell speeches, graduation messages, or retirement announcements. You’ll learn how to talk about significant life transitions, express gratitude for the past, and convey emotional reflections on a journey coming to an end.
✅ Learn expressions for major life transitions
✅ Master vocabulary for graduations and farewells
✅ Practice expressing gratitude and reflection
Introduction
In this lesson, we explore heartfelt phrases commonly used in graduation speeches, farewell messages, or when leaving a significant chapter of life. These expressions demonstrate how Japanese speakers reflect on their journey, express gratitude, and mark important transitions with emotional sincerity. This language is essential for understanding farewell speeches, retirement messages, and emotional announcements.
いよいよ卒業の時が来ました
Meaning & Usage
This phrase announces that a long-awaited or inevitable moment has finally arrived – the time of graduation or departure. It marks a significant turning point.
いよいよ – finally, at last, now
卒業 (そつぎょう) – graduation
の時 (のとき) – time, moment
が – subject particle
来ました (きました) – has come (past tense of 来る)
This formal expression is often used in speeches, announcements, or written messages.
Translation
- The time of graduation has finally come
- At last, the moment of graduation has arrived
- Finally, it’s time to graduate
- The long-awaited graduation time is here
Examples
いよいよ卒業の時が来ました。寂しいですが、新しい道を歩みます。
→ The time of graduation has finally come. It’s sad, but I’ll walk a new path.
いよいよ卒業の時が来ました。皆さん、ありがとうございました。
→ At last, graduation time has arrived. Thank you, everyone.
いよいよ卒業の時が来ました。これからも頑張ります。
→ Finally, it’s time to graduate. I’ll keep doing my best from now on.
Understanding いよいよ
いよいよ conveys a sense of “finally” with emotional weight – something anticipated or inevitable has arrived:
Positive contexts:
- いよいよ始まる – It’s finally starting
- いよいよ明日だ – It’s finally tomorrow
- いよいよ本番 – Finally, the real thing
Serious/inevitable contexts:
- いよいよ時が来た – The time has finally come
- いよいよ決断の時 – Finally, time to decide
- いよいよ別れの時 – At last, time to part
Nuance: Shows the moment has been building up or long-awaited, and now it’s actually happening.
Related Expressions
卒業する (そつぎょうする) – To graduate
卒業式 (そつぎょうしき) – Graduation ceremony
卒業生 (そつぎょうせい) – Graduate
卒業アルバム – Graduation album, yearbook
別れの時 (わかれのとき) – Time to part
旅立ち (たびだち) – Departure, setting out
2014年に12年が経とうとしています
Meaning & Usage
This phrase expresses that time has passed and is about to reach a milestone – in this case, 12 years since 2014 is approaching.
2014年に – in 2014
12年が – 12 years (subject)
経とうとしています (たとうとしています) – is about to pass, is approaching
This structure uses ようとする to express something that is about to happen.
Translation
- 12 years since 2014 are about to pass
- It’s approaching 12 years since 2014
- Nearly 12 years have passed since 2014
- We’re about to reach 12 years since 2014
Examples
入社してから10年が経とうとしています。
→ It’s approaching 10 years since I joined the company.
あの日から3年が経とうとしています。
→ Nearly 3 years have passed since that day.
結婚して5年が経とうとしています。
→ We’re about to reach 5 years of marriage.
Understanding 経とうとしています
経つ (たつ) – To pass (time)
経とうとする – About to pass, approaching
経とうとしています – Is about to pass (polite)
Formation:
- Verb stem + ようとする = about to do, trying to do
- 経つ → 経とう → 経とうとする
This pattern:
- Shows time is approaching a milestone
- Emphasizes the passage of time
- Creates reflective, emotional tone
Time Passage Expressions
〜年が経つ (〜ねんがたつ) – 〜 years pass
〜年が過ぎる (〜ねんがすぎる) – 〜 years go by
月日が流れる (つきひがながれる) – Time flows by
あっという間 – In the blink of an eye
時が経つのは早い – Time passes quickly
もう〜年になる – It’s already been 〜 years
でもそんな時に小さい夢が一つずつ叶ってその瞬間が嬉しくてもう少しだけ頑張ってみようと思いました
Meaning & Usage
This long sentence expresses how small dreams coming true motivated the speaker to keep going. It shows emotional reflection and determination.
でも – but, however
そんな時に – at such times
小さい夢が – small dreams (subject)
一つずつ – one by one
叶って (かなって) – came true (て-form of 叶う)
その瞬間が – those moments (subject)
嬉しくて (うれしくて) – were happy/joyful
もう少しだけ – just a little more
頑張ってみよう (がんばってみよう) – try to do my best
と思いました – I thought
Translation
- But during those times, small dreams came true one by one, and those moments made me so happy that I decided to try my best just a little longer
- However, at such times, little dreams were fulfilled one after another, and those happy moments made me think I’d keep trying a bit more
Breaking Down the Sentence
でもそんな時に
→ But at such times
小さい夢が一つずつ叶って
→ Small dreams came true one by one
その瞬間が嬉しくて
→ Those moments were joyful (and because of that…)
もう少しだけ頑張ってみようと思いました
→ I thought I’d try my best just a little longer
Understanding 一つずつ (One by One)
一つずつ shows gradual, incremental progress:
Pattern: 〜ずつ
- 一つずつ (ひとつずつ) – One by one
- 少しずつ (すこしずつ) – Little by little
- 二つずつ (ふたつずつ) – Two at a time
- 一人ずつ (ひとりずつ) – One person at a time
Usage: Shows something happening gradually or in portions
Understanding 叶う (To Come True)
叶う (かなう) – To come true, be fulfilled, be granted
Common expressions:
- 夢が叶う (ゆめがかなう) – Dreams come true
- 願いが叶う (ねがいがかなう) – Wishes are granted
- 希望が叶う (きぼうがかなう) – Hopes are fulfilled
Related:
- 叶える (かなえる) – To make come true (transitive)
- 夢を叶える – To make dreams come true
Understanding 頑張ってみよう
頑張る (がんばる) – To do one’s best, persevere
頑張ってみる – To try doing one’s best
頑張ってみよう – Let’s try to do our best (volitional)
〜てみる pattern:
- Means “try doing” something
- 食べてみる – Try eating
- 行ってみる – Try going
- 頑張ってみる – Try doing one’s best
Related Expressions
夢が叶う – Dreams come true
願いが叶う – Wishes are granted
一歩ずつ (いっぽずつ) – Step by step
諦めない (あきらめない) – Don’t give up
続ける (つづける) – To continue
前進する (ぜんしんする) – To move forward
輝かせてくれてありがとうございました
Meaning & Usage
This phrase expresses deep gratitude to someone who helped you shine or brought light to your life. It’s an emotional thank you for making your time special or meaningful.
輝かせて (かがやかせて) – made (me/it) shine
くれて – gave (to me) – て-form of くれる
ありがとうございました – thank you (past tense, polite)
This is heartfelt language often used in farewell speeches or graduation messages.
Translation
- Thank you for making me shine
- Thank you for letting me shine
- Thank you for bringing light to my life
- Thank you for making my time bright/special
Understanding 輝かせる
輝く (かがやく) – To shine, sparkle, be brilliant
輝かせる (かがやかせる) – To make shine, illuminate (causative)
Formation:
- 輝く → 輝かせる (causative form)
- Make something/someone shine
Usage: Shows someone helped bring out your potential or made your experience meaningful
Understanding てくれて
くれる – To give (to me/us)
〜てくれる – To do something for me/us
〜てくれて – て-form (connecting to thanks)
Pattern:
- Verb て-form + くれる = do something for me
- 教えてくれる – Teach me
- 助けてくれる – Help me
- 輝かせてくれる – Make me shine
With ありがとう:
- Verb て-form + くれてありがとう
- Shows gratitude for the action
Examples
支えてくれてありがとうございました。
→ Thank you for supporting me.
助けてくれてありがとうございました。
→ Thank you for helping me.
信じてくれてありがとうございました。
→ Thank you for believing in me.
一緒にいてくれてありがとうございました。
→ Thank you for being with me.
育ててくれてありがとうございました。
→ Thank you for raising me.
Related Gratitude Expressions
お世話になりました (おせわになりました) – Thank you for taking care of me
感謝しています (かんしゃしています) – I’m grateful
恩返しします (おんがえしします) – I’ll repay your kindness
忘れません (わすれません) – I won’t forget
大切な思い出です (たいせつなおもいでです) – Precious memories
Common Mistakes
❌ Wrong particle with 時が来る
Wrong: 卒業の時を来ました
Correct: 卒業の時が来ました
Use が (subject particle), not を
❌ Confusing 経つ with 立つ
経つ (たつ) – Time passes
立つ (たつ) – To stand up
Different meanings, same pronunciation
❌ Using present tense inappropriately
Wrong: ありがとうございます (when reflecting on past)
Correct: ありがとうございました
Use past tense for completed periods of gratitude
❌ Forgetting causative for 輝かせる
Wrong: 輝いてくれて
Correct: 輝かせてくれて
Use causative form (make someone shine)
Practice Dialogue
Scenario: Graduation speech
卒業生: 皆さん、今日はありがとうございます。いよいよ卒業の時が来ました。
卒業生: 入学してから4年が経とうとしています。長いようで短かった4年間でした。
卒業生: 正直、辛い時もたくさんありました。でもそんな時に小さい夢が一つずつ叶ってその瞬間が嬉しくてもう少しだけ頑張ってみようと思いました。
卒業生: 先生方、友達、家族の皆さん、私を輝かせてくれてありがとうございました。
卒業生: これからも頑張ります。本当にありがとうございました。
Graduate: Everyone, thank you for today. The time of graduation has finally come.
Graduate: It’s approaching 4 years since I entered. It was 4 years that seemed long but were short.
Graduate: Honestly, there were many difficult times. But during those times, small dreams came true one by one, and those moments made me so happy that I decided to try my best just a little longer.
Graduate: Teachers, friends, family – thank you for making me shine.
Graduate: I’ll keep doing my best from now on. Thank you very much.
Cultural Notes
Japanese Graduation Culture
Graduations in Japan are significant, emotional events with specific cultural elements:
Formality and Ceremony: Graduation ceremonies (卒業式) are formal occasions with set procedures, speeches, and traditions. Students wear formal attire or uniforms.
Second Button Tradition: Male students give the second button from their uniform jacket to someone they care about – the button closest to the heart symbolizes their feelings.
Emotional Speeches: Graduation speeches in Japan often include:
- Reflection on the journey
- Gratitude to teachers, parents, and friends
- Acknowledgment of difficulties overcome
- Commitment to future success
Group Emphasis: Rather than individual achievement, Japanese graduations emphasize the shared journey and collective support that made success possible.
Sakura Season: University graduations typically happen in March during cherry blossom season, adding symbolic meaning of new beginnings and fleeting beauty to the transition.
Expressing Gratitude in Japanese Farewells
The phrase 輝かせてくれてありがとうございました exemplifies Japanese gratitude culture:
Attributing Success to Others: Rather than “I succeeded because I worked hard,” Japanese culture emphasizes “I succeeded because others helped me shine.”
Humble Positioning: By thanking others for making you shine, you position yourself humbly while elevating those who supported you.
Emotional Sincerity: Japanese farewell speeches value emotional honesty and vulnerability, showing genuine feelings rather than just formal politeness.
Wrap-up
This episode explored emotional expressions used in graduations and farewells. いよいよ卒業の時が来ました marks the arrival of a significant transition, 2014年に12年が経とうとしています reflects on time passed, でもそんな時に小さい夢が一つずつ叶って… expresses how small victories motivated perseverance, and 輝かせてくれてありがとうございました offers heartfelt gratitude to those who provided support.
Together, these phrases demonstrate the Japanese way of marking important life transitions – with reflection on the journey, acknowledgment of struggles and small victories, and deep gratitude to those who made success possible. Understanding this language helps you comprehend graduation speeches, farewell messages, and the emotional sincerity valued in Japanese communication.