そろそろ
sorosoro
The time is nearly here and the body starts shifting: そろそろ
The picture The appointed moment has come right up close, and the body is already starting to tilt that way before anything happens. そろそろ is the time nearly here and the body shifting; まだまだ is the time still far off and everyone staying put.
Where the picture shows up in そろそろ
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time to head off
そろそろ帰りましょうか。
sorosoro kaerimashou ka
Shall we be getting going?
A glance at the clock at a restaurant table, a hand reaching for a coat, weight coming off the seat
A polite way to be the first to suggest wrapping up.
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time to begin
そろそろ会議を始めます。
sorosoro kaigi o hajimemasu
We'll be starting the meeting now.
Counting heads in the meeting room, opening the papers, turning to face the front
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time for it to arrive
電車がそろそろ来ます。
densha ga sorosoro kimasu
The train will be here any minute.
Checking the time on the board and taking one step up to the line on the platform
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time to get ready
そろそろ準備を始めたほうがいいですよ。
sorosoro junbi o hajimeta hou ga ii desu yo
You'd better start getting ready.
Tapping a colleague's desk lightly and pointing up at the wall clock
A nudge that pushes without shoving.
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time to eat
そろそろ昼ごはんの時間ですね。
sorosoro hirugohan no jikan desu ne
It's about lunchtime, isn't it.
A hand pressing your own stomach once, eyes going up to the office clock
All of it in one picture
One picture of a body tilting and all five line up. Lift off your seat at dinner and it's time to head home; open the papers in the meeting room and it's time to begin. Step forward on the platform and the train is nearly in, and offering someone that same tilt becomes "better start getting ready". A hand going to your stomach means lunchtime is nearly on you.