いつも

§ Understanding いつも (itsumo)

The Japanese adverb いつも (itsumo) is a versatile word you'll hear and use frequently. It means "always," "usually," or "every time." It describes actions or states that occur consistently or habitually. Think of it as indicating a high frequency or a constant state.

Japanese Word

いつも (itsumo)

Meaning

always, usually, every time

Grammar Classification

Adverb

CEFR Level

A2

§ How to use いつも in a sentence

Because いつも is an adverb, it directly modifies verbs, adjectives, or even entire clauses. It generally comes before the word or phrase it modifies. There are no specific prepositions that pair with いつも in a unique way; it functions quite independently.

§ Modifying Verbs (Actions)

This is the most common use of いつも. It tells us that an action happens constantly or habitually.

• 彼はいつも朝早く起きます。

  Kare wa itsumo asa hayaku okimasu. (He always wakes up early in the morning.)

• 彼女はいつも笑顔です。

  Kanojo wa itsumo egao desu. (She always has a smile on her face / She is always smiling.)

• 私はいつも電車で通勤します。

  Watashi wa itsumo densha de tsuukin shimasu. (I always commute by train.)

§ With Desu/Masu Form

When using いつも with politeness forms like です (desu) or ます (masu), いつも comes before the verb or adjective.

• 佐藤さんはいつも親切です。

  Satou-san wa itsumo shinsetsu desu. (Mr./Ms. Sato is always kind.)

• この店はいつも混んでいます。

  Kono mise wa itsumo kondeimasu. (This store is always crowded.)

§ Expressing Gratitude or Regularity

いつも is also used in common greetings or expressions to convey ongoing gratitude or acknowledgement of a regular relationship.

• いつもありがとうございます。

  Itsumo arigatou gozaimasu. (Thank you always / Thank you for your continued support.)

• いつもお世話になっております。

  Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu. (Thank you for your always looking after me / I am always indebted to you.) - This is a very common business expression.

§ With Questions

You can also use いつも in questions to ask about habits or regular occurrences.

• あなたはいつもどこで昼ごはんを食べますか。

  Anata wa itsumo doko de hirugohan o tabemasu ka? (Where do you usually eat lunch?)

§ What いつも Means

The Japanese word いつも (itsumo) is an adverb. It’s a versatile word you’ll hear and use often. Think of it as meaning “always,” “usually,” or “every time.” It describes actions or states that happen regularly or are consistently true.

Japanese Word

いつも (itsumo)

Type

Adverb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

always, usually, every time

§ Examples of いつも in Sentences

Let's look at how いつも is used in real sentences. Pay attention to the context to grasp its nuance.

Hint

He always wakes up early in the morning.

Hint

This cafe is always crowded.

Hint

I usually spend weekends with my family.

§ Where You'll Hear いつも

いつも is a common word, so you’ll encounter it in many situations. Here are some typical places:

• At Work: Colleagues might talk about their routines or common practices.
• At School: Students and teachers use it to discuss habits or regular events.
• In Casual Conversation: When talking about daily life, hobbies, or preferences.
• News/Media: Though less frequent than in conversation, it can describe consistent trends or situations.

Let's dive into some more specific scenarios.

At the Office: Discussing Routines

Imagine you're at work, and a colleague is talking about their schedule or a team habit.

Hint

"Mr. Sato always leaves on time, doesn't he?"

Here, いつも points out a consistent habit of Mr. Sato.

At School: Talking about Homework or Activities

Students often use いつも to talk about their study habits or school events.

Hint

"This class always has a lot of homework."

This sentence describes a consistent characteristic of the class.

In the News or General Discussion: Describing Trends

While not as common as in personal conversations, いつも can appear in news or discussions about general situations.

Hint

"Flu usually spreads during this season."

Here, いつも indicates a recurring pattern or trend.

§ Itsumo vs. Mainichi

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing いつも (itsumo) with 毎日 (mainichi). Both can mean 'every day' or 'always' in English, but they are used in different contexts in Japanese.

Itsumo

Refers to a general state of being or a habitual action that occurs consistently over a long period. It implies 'always' or 'usually'.

Mainichi

Specifically means 'every day'. It's about a daily occurrence.

Here's a breakdown:

I am always (usually) fine/energetic.

I study Japanese every day.

§ Overuse in formal situations

While いつも is very common in casual conversation, be mindful of its usage in highly formal or business settings. Sometimes, more specific phrasing might be preferred to avoid sounding too informal or vague.

• In business emails or official reports, instead of saying 「いつもありがとうございます」 (Itsumo arigatou gozaimasu - Thank you always), you might use something like 「平素より大変お世話になっております」 (Heiso yori taihen osewa ni natte orimasu - Thank you for your continued support) to sound more formal and appreciative of ongoing assistance.

§ Placement in sentences

Itsumo, as an adverb, generally comes before the verb it modifies. However, learners sometimes place it in awkward positions.

He always comes early.

Not: 彼は早く来ますいつも。 (Kare wa hayaku kimasu itsumo.)

She is always smiling / always has a smile.

§ Using it with negative forms

When いつも is used with a negative verb, it means 'never' or 'not always'. This can be tricky because in English, 'always not' often sounds awkward or incorrect.

He never comes. (Literally: He always doesn't come.)

This is a perfectly natural way to express 'never' in Japanese.

The exam is not always easy.

§ Confusing いつも with 'sometimes'

Due to the nuance of 'usually' or 'often' that いつも can carry, some learners mistakenly use it when they actually mean 'sometimes'. Japanese has specific words for 'sometimes' like 時々 (tokidoki) or たまに (tamani).

I sometimes go to a cafe.

Not: 私はいつもカフェに行きます。(Unless you always go to a cafe.)

Hello learners! Today we're going to break down the Japanese adverb いつも (itsumo). This is a really common word you'll hear and use a lot, so understanding it well is important for everyday conversations. It's a fundamental A2 level word, meaning it's something you should get comfortable with early on.

Let's dive in.

Japanese Word

いつも (itsumo)

Word Type

Adverb

CEFR Level

A2

Definition

always, usually, every time

§ How to Use いつも

いつも is an adverb, so it directly modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It indicates that an action or state happens repeatedly, continuously, or habitually. Think of it as conveying a sense of regularity or constancy.

It's generally placed before the verb or adjective it modifies. You'll find it in sentences where you want to express things that are a regular occurrence in your life or someone else's.

Translation Hint

He is always energetic.

Translation Hint

I always eat breakfast.

§ いつも with Negation

When いつも is used with a negative verb, it typically means 'not always' or 'not usually'. It doesn't mean 'never'. For 'never', you'd use a different word like 決して (kesshite) with a negative verb.

Translation Hint

He doesn't always go to the library. (Meaning, sometimes he goes, sometimes he doesn't.)

§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives

Japanese has several words that express frequency, and it's easy to get them mixed up. Let's look at some common ones and how they compare to いつも.

• いつも (itsumo): This is the most general and common word for 'always' or 'usually'. It implies a strong habit, a constant state, or something that happens without exception in a given context. It's often used for personal routines, habits, or general truths.
• 常に (tsune ni): This also means 'always' or 'constantly'. It's a bit more formal or literary than いつも. You might see it in written Japanese, formal speeches, or when emphasizing a continuous, unchanging state or principle. While you could sometimes substitute it for いつも, 常に carries a slightly heavier, more serious nuance. For daily conversation, いつも is almost always the better choice.

水は常に下へ流れます。

Translation Hint

Water always flows downwards. (This sounds more like a scientific fact, where 常に fits better than いつも)

• たいてい (taitei): This means 'mostly', 'usually', or 'generally'. It indicates a high frequency, but with the understanding that there might be exceptions. If you do something most of the time, but not necessarily 100% of the time, たいてい is the word to use. いつも implies a higher degree of consistency than たいてい.

私はたいてい電車で通勤します。

Translation Hint

I usually commute by train. (Meaning, most days, but sometimes I might drive or walk.)

• よく (yoku): This means 'often' or 'frequently'. It indicates that something happens many times, but not necessarily with the regularity of いつも. It's less strong than いつも. If you do something 'often' but not 'always', よく is the right choice.

彼はカフェでよく勉強します。

Translation Hint

He often studies at the cafe. (Meaning, it's a frequent habit, but not every single time he studies.)

In summary, use いつも when you want to express something that happens consistently, habitually, or without exception. It's your go-to for 'always' in most everyday situations. When in doubt, いつも is usually a safe bet for conveying regularity.

Keep practicing these words, and you'll naturally get a feel for when to use each one. Good luck with your studies!