時々
You'll often hear 「時々」(tokidoki) in daily Japanese conversations. It means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally.' You can use it when something doesn't happen all the time but more than rarely. Think of it as a good way to talk about habits or things you do once in a while. You can place it at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb it modifies.
You'll often hear 「時々」（ときどき） used in everyday Japanese to talk about things that happen from time to time. Think of it as meaning 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'.
It's an adverb, which means it describes how often an action happens. For example, if you say 「時々、映画を見ます」 (Tokidoki, eiga o mimasu), it means 'I sometimes watch movies'.
You can also use it at the beginning of a sentence to set the scene, like 「時々、雨が降ります」 (Tokidoki, ame ga furimasu), meaning 'Sometimes, it rains'.
It's a very common and useful word to know as you build your Japanese vocabulary at an A2 level.
When you want to express that something happens on occasion or not all the time, 時々 (tokidoki) is the word you'll use. It's a straightforward adverb that directly translates to 'sometimes' or 'occasionally.' You might hear it in conversations when someone is talking about their habits or things that don't occur regularly. For example, if you sometimes eat sushi, you could say '時々寿司を食べます' (tokidoki sushi o tabemasu). It's a useful word for adding a touch of casualness and nuance to your descriptions of how often things happen.
When discussing frequency in Japanese, you'll often encounter adverbs like 時々 (tokidoki). This word directly translates to 'sometimes' or 'occasionally,' indicating an action that happens with moderate infrequency. It's more frequent than rarely, but less frequent than often. You can use it at the beginning of a sentence or before the verb it modifies.
For example, if you want to say 'I sometimes go to the library,' you could say '時々図書館に行きます (Tokidoki toshokan ni ikimasu).' Another example would be '彼は時々冗談を言います (Kare wa tokidoki jōdan o iimasu),' meaning 'He occasionally tells jokes.' While simple, understanding its proper placement and meaning is crucial for natural Japanese communication.
When discussing frequency in Japanese, you'll often encounter adverbs like 時々 (tokidoki). It directly translates to "sometimes" or "occasionally." You can use it to describe actions or events that happen with moderate frequency, not too often, but not rarely either. Think of it as a comfortable middle ground between "always" and "never."
For example, you might say 「私は時々カフェに行きます」 (Watashi wa tokidoki kafe ni ikimasu) to mean "I sometimes go to a cafe." It's a versatile word that fits into many everyday conversations.
When you're trying to express that something happens, well, sometimes, you'll reach for 時々 (tokidoki).
It's an adverb, so it describes verbs or adjectives, telling you about the frequency of an action or state. Think of it as a go-to for those moments when you don't want to say "always" or "never," but rather somewhere in between.
It directly translates to "sometimes" or "occasionally," and you'll find it incredibly useful in everyday conversations and writing. It's one of those basic building blocks that helps make your Japanese sound more natural and nuanced.
時々 30 सेकंड में
- Not always, but sometimes.
- Happens once in a while.
- Infrequent occurrences.
§ What does 時々 (tokidoki) mean?
Let's talk about 時々 (tokidoki). This is a really common and useful Japanese word you'll hear and use a lot. It means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'. Think of it as indicating something that happens from time to time, but not all the time, and not very frequently. It's a clear, straightforward way to express irregularity in actions or events.
- DEFINITION
- Sometimes, occasionally
You use 時々 when you want to say that an action or situation occurs, but not on a regular schedule or with high frequency. It’s perfect for describing habits that aren't daily, or events that pop up every now and then. It sits comfortably between 'never' and 'always' on the frequency scale.
§ When do people use 時々?
Japanese speakers use 時々 in a wide variety of contexts. If you're talking about your hobbies, your routines, or even just general observations, 時々 is your go-to word for 'sometimes'. It's super versatile. Here are some common situations where you'd naturally use it:
- Talking about activities you do, but not regularly: For example, if you play tennis but not every week, you'd use 時々.
- Describing weather patterns: If it rains occasionally in a certain season, you can use 時々.
- Mentioning things that happen intermittently: Like seeing a specific friend, or eating a certain type of food.
私は時々映画を見ます。
Translation hint: I sometimes watch movies.
This example is very common. It shows a personal habit that isn't daily. You'll use this sentence structure a lot.
東京は時々雪が降ります。
Translation hint: It sometimes snows in Tokyo.
Here, 時々 describes a weather event that isn't constant. It's a good way to talk about climate.
Another thing to note is the repetition of the character 時 (toki), which means 'time' or 'hour'. Repeating it emphasizes the idea of 'from time to time'. This is a common pattern in Japanese for creating adverbs of frequency or manner. Don't overthink the double character, just know it means 'sometimes'.
Compared to other frequency adverbs, 時々 is less frequent than 'often' (よく - yoku) but more frequent than 'rarely' (めったに…ない - mettani...nai). It's a middle-ground word. If something happens just once in a blue moon, you probably wouldn't use 時々. But if it's a few times a month, or a few times a year, 時々 is perfect.
Mastering 時々 will significantly improve your ability to express nuance in Japanese. It allows you to be specific about how often things happen without needing to give exact numbers. Start listening for it in Japanese media and try to incorporate it into your own sentences. You'll find it's a very natural fit for many conversations.
Hello learners! Today, we're going to break down the Japanese adverb 時々 (tokidoki), which means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'. This is a super useful word for daily conversation, so let's get right into it.
§ What 時々 means
- DEFINITION
- 時々 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'. It describes actions that happen with some frequency, but not all the time.
Think of it as a way to express that something isn't a regular occurrence, but it's not super rare either. It's somewhere in the middle.
§ How to use 時々 in a sentence
Using 時々 is pretty straightforward because it's an adverb. This means it modifies verbs and adjectives, telling you when or how often something happens. You can usually place it before the verb or adjective it's modifying.
私は時々コーヒーを飲みます。
Watashi wa tokidoki kōhī o nomimasu.
I sometimes drink coffee. (Literally: I, sometimes, coffee, drink.)
In this example, 時々 comes before the verb 飲みます (nomimasu - to drink), showing that drinking coffee is something done occasionally.
彼は時々遅刻します。
Kare wa tokidoki chikoku shimasu.
He is sometimes late. (Literally: He, sometimes, late, does.)
Here, 時々 modifies 遅刻します (chikoku shimasu - to be late), indicating that his lateness is occasional.
§ No special prepositions needed
Good news! 時々 doesn't require any special prepositions to go with it. It stands alone as an adverb, directly modifying the action or state. This makes it quite easy to use compared to some other words.
§ More examples
週末は時々映画を見に行きます。
Shūmatsu wa tokidoki eiga o mi ni ikimasu.
On weekends, I sometimes go to see movies. (Literally: Weekend, sometimes, movie, see to, go.)彼女は時々日本語で話します。
Kanojo wa tokidoki Nihongo de hanashimasu.
She sometimes speaks in Japanese. (Literally: She, sometimes, Japanese in, speaks.)この店は時々とても混んでいます。
Kono mise wa tokidoki totemo kondeimasu.
This store is sometimes very crowded. (Literally: This store, sometimes, very, is crowded.)
§ 時々 vs. たまに (tamani)
You might also encounter another word, たまに (tamani), which also means 'occasionally' or 'rarely'. While both express infrequency, たまに generally implies something happens *less often* than 時々.
For now, focus on mastering 時々. It's a fundamental word that will serve you well in many situations. Keep practicing with these examples, and you'll get the hang of it quickly!
§ Understanding 時々 (tokidoki)
Let's talk about 時々 (tokidoki), an A2 level adverb. It means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'. This is a common word you'll hear in daily conversation, and it's built by repeating the kanji 時 (toki), which means 'time'. The repetition emphasizes the 'now and then' aspect.
- Japanese Word
- 時々 (tokidoki)
- Definition
- sometimes, occasionally
§ 時々 (tokidoki) at Work
In a work setting, you'll hear 時々 when people talk about tasks, meetings, or even personal habits related to their job. It's useful for describing things that aren't constant but happen with some regularity.
- Describing task frequency:
会議は時々長引きます。
- Hint
- The meetings sometimes run long.
This sentence is common when discussing meeting schedules or efficiency. It's a polite way to mention an issue without being overly critical.
- Talking about work habits:
彼は時々残業します。
- Hint
- He occasionally works overtime.
§ 時々 (tokidoki) at School
At school, 時々 is used to describe study habits, club activities, or even how often a teacher gives homework. It's a versatile word for discussing routines that aren't strictly daily.
- Describing study habits:
私たちは時々図書館で勉強します。
- Hint
- We sometimes study in the library.
This indicates that studying in the library isn't every day, but it does happen.
- Talking about club activities:
部活動は時々土曜日もあります。
- Hint
- Club activities are sometimes on Saturdays too.
§ 時々 (tokidoki) in the News
News reports use 時々 to describe events that occur sporadically, like weather phenomena, economic fluctuations, or social trends that aren't constant. It lends a sense of objectivity and measured reporting.
- Reporting on weather:
この地域では時々強い風が吹きます。
- Hint
- Strong winds blow occasionally in this area.
This is how a weather forecast might describe intermittent strong winds.
- Describing social issues:
時々、このような問題が起こります。
- Hint
- Problems like this happen sometimes.
§ Putting it all together
You've seen how 時々 (tokidoki) fits into various contexts, from casual work discussions to formal news reports. It's a simple yet powerful adverb that adds nuance to your Japanese. Practice using it to describe things that happen, but not all the time. The more you use it, the more natural it will feel.
Alright, let's talk about 時々 (tokidoki). It means "sometimes" or "occasionally," and it's a super useful word. But, like many words, there are a few traps learners often fall into. We're going to break down these common mistakes so you can use 時々 correctly and sound more natural.
§ Mistake 1: Overusing it when other adverbs are more natural
時々 is great for "sometimes," but Japanese has other adverbs that express similar meanings with slightly different nuances. If you find yourself using 時々 for every instance of something happening less than regularly, you might be missing out on more precise options.
- Bad Example
- 私は時々ラーメンを食べます。
(I sometimes eat ramen, but it implies a bit more frequency than intended.)
- Better Example
- 私はたまにラーメンを食べます。
(I rarely/occasionally eat ramen. This feels more natural if you don't eat it often.)
§ Mistake 2: Confusing it with "sometimes A, sometimes B" structures
時々 means "sometimes" in the sense of "on some occasions." It doesn't work for structures like "sometimes I do X, and sometimes I do Y." For that, you need a different construction.
- Bad Example
- 時々本を読んで、時々映画を見ます。
(Grammatically okay, but sounds clunky and less natural than 〜たり〜たりする.)
- Better Example
- 本を読んだり映画を見たりします。
(I sometimes read books, sometimes watch movies.)
§ Mistake 3: Incorrect placement in sentences
While adverbs often have some flexibility in Japanese, 時々 usually sounds most natural when placed before the verb it modifies. Putting it in awkward spots can make your sentence sound less natural.
- Bad Example
- テレビを見ます時々。
(Sounds very unnatural, like you're translating directly from English word order.)
- Better Example
- 私は時々テレビを見ます。
(I sometimes watch TV. This is the most natural placement.)
§ Mistake 4: Not understanding its nuance of regularity
時々 implies a noticeable but irregular occurrence. It's not as frequent as "often" but not as rare as "hardly ever." Think of it as happening enough to be noteworthy, but not with any set pattern.
彼とは時々会います。
(I see him sometimes/occasionally. Implies it's not a regular meeting, but it does happen.)
- If you meet someone every day, you wouldn't use 時々. You'd say 毎日 (mainichi - every day).
- If you meet them once a year, you might use たまに (tamani) or年に一回 (nen ni ikkai - once a year).
§ Summary: Use 時々 wisely
時々 is a great word, and you'll hear it a lot. Just remember these points to avoid common pitfalls:
- Don't overuse it when other adverbs like たまに or よく are more precise for frequency.
- Use 〜たり〜たりする for "sometimes X, sometimes Y" constructions.
- Place it naturally before the verb it modifies.
- Understand its nuance of "occasionally, but not extremely rarely."
Keep practicing, and you'll master 時々 in no time!
§ Understanding 時々 (tokidoki)
You've learned that 時々 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'. It's a great word to have in your Japanese vocabulary because it's widely used and easy to remember. But Japanese, like any language, often has several ways to express similar ideas. So, when should you use 時々, and when might another word be a better fit?
Let's break down 時々 first. It literally comes from the kanji 時 (toki), meaning 'time', repeated twice. This repetition emphasizes the idea of something happening at 'time and time', or 'from time to time'.
- DEFINITION
- 時々 (tokidoki): sometimes, occasionally. Indicates an action or event that happens intermittently, not regularly, but not rarely either. It implies a moderate frequency.
私は時々コーヒーを飲みます。
(Watashi wa tokidoki koohii o nomimasu.)
I sometimes drink coffee. (This implies you don't drink it every day, but also not once a year.)
週末は時々映画を見に行きます。
(Shuumatsu wa tokidoki eiga o mi ni ikimasu.)
On weekends, I occasionally go to see a movie. (Not every weekend, but it's something you do from time to time.)
§ Alternatives to 時々
Now, let's look at some other words that can also mean 'sometimes' or express similar frequencies, and understand their nuances.
たまに (tamani)
This is probably the closest alternative to 時々, but with a slight difference in frequency.
- DEFINITION
- たまに (tamani): occasionally, rarely, once in a while. Implies a lower frequency than 時々.
彼はたまにしか来ません。
(Kare wa tamani shika kimasen.)
He rarely comes. (Note the 'shika ~ません' structure which reinforces the rarity.)
私もたまにラーメンを食べます。
(Watashi mo tamani raamen o tabemasu.)
I also eat ramen once in a while. (Less often than 'sometimes' with 時々.)
よく (yoku)
This word expresses a higher frequency than 時々.
- DEFINITION
- よく (yoku): often, frequently, well. Indicates an action or event that happens with high frequency.
彼はよく旅行に行きます。
(Kare wa yoku ryokou ni ikimasu.)
He often travels.
このレストランはよく利用します。
(Kono resutoran wa yoku riyou shimasu.)
I frequently use this restaurant.
いつも (itsumo)
This means 'always' and is at the highest end of the frequency scale.
- DEFINITION
- いつも (itsumo): always, usually, habitually. Indicates something that happens constantly or almost constantly.
彼はいつも笑顔です。
(Kare wa itsumo egao desu.)
He is always smiling.
私はいつも朝食を食べます。
(Watashi wa itsumo choushoku o tabemasu.)
I always eat breakfast.
§ Putting it all together: Frequency Scale
Here's a simple way to visualize the frequency from least to most:
全く～ない (mattaku ~ nai) / 全然～ない (zenzen ~ nai): Never (0%)
めったに～ない (mettani ~ nai): Hardly ever, almost never (5-10%)
たまに (tamani): Rarely, once in a while (10-20%)
時々 (tokidoki): Sometimes, occasionally (30-50%)
よく (yoku): Often, frequently (60-80%)
いつも (itsumo): Always, usually (90-100%)
Remember these percentages are rough guides to help you understand the nuance, not strict mathematical rules.
§ When to choose 時々
Choose 時々 when you want to express that something happens with a moderate frequency – not so often that it's routine, but not so rarely that it's a surprise. It's a very neutral and common way to say 'sometimes'.
For example, if someone asks you how often you go to a certain restaurant:
If you go every week, you'd say いつも行きます (itsumo ikimasu - I always go).
If you go a couple of times a month, you'd say よく行きます (yoku ikimasu - I often go).
If you go a few times a year, you'd say 時々行きます (tokidoki ikimasu - I sometimes go).
If you go once a year or less, you'd say たまに行きます (tamani ikimasu - I occasionally go).
By understanding these differences, you can communicate more precisely and naturally in Japanese. Keep practicing, and you'll master these nuances in no time!
रोचक तथ्य
The '々' symbol is not a kanji itself, but a phonetic symbol used to indicate the repetition of the preceding kanji. You'll see it used with other words too, like 人々 (hitobito - people).
उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका
- pronouncing the 'o' as a long vowel
कठिनाई स्तर
Common kanji, easy to recognize.
Repetitive kanji, straightforward to write.
Easy pronunciation, common in daily conversation.
Clear sound, easy to distinguish.
आगे क्या सीखें
पूर्वापेक्षाएँ
आगे सीखें
उन्नत
ज़रूरी व्याकरण
It modifies verbs, placing directly before the verb it modifies. For instance, 「時々食べます」 (tokidoki tabemasu) means 'I sometimes eat'.
彼らは時々一緒に映画を見ます。(Kare-ra wa tokidoki issho ni eiga o mimasu.) They sometimes watch movies together.
It can also modify entire clauses or sentences, often appearing at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis. For example, 「時々、私は公園を散歩します」 (tokidoki, watashi wa kōen o sanpo shimasu) means 'Sometimes, I take a walk in the park'.
時々、彼女は週末に京都へ旅行します。(Tokidoki, kanojo wa shūmatsu ni Kyōto e ryokō shimasu.) Sometimes, she travels to Kyoto on weekends.
When expressing frequency with a specific time period, 「時々」 can be used with time markers like 「毎日」 (mainichi - every day) or 「毎週」 (maishū - every week). For example, 「毎日時々日本語を勉強します」 (mainichi tokidoki Nihongo o benkyō shimasu) means 'I sometimes study Japanese every day'.
毎週時々友達と会います。(Maishū tokidoki tomodachi to aimasu.) I sometimes meet friends every week.
It can be used in questions to ask about the frequency of an action. For example, 「時々日本語を話しますか？」 (tokidoki Nihongo o hanashimasu ka?) means 'Do you sometimes speak Japanese?'
時々ラーメンを食べますか？(Tokidoki rāmen o tabemasu ka?) Do you sometimes eat ramen?
「時々」 is distinct from 「たまに」 (tamani), which also means 'sometimes' but implies less frequency. 「時々」 suggests a moderate frequency, while 「たまに」 suggests a less frequent or rare occurrence. For instance, if you sometimes eat sushi once a week, you might use 「時々」. If you eat it once a month, you might use 「たまに」.
彼は時々ジョギングに行きます。(Kare wa tokidoki jogingu ni ikimasu.) He sometimes goes jogging. (More frequent than tamani).
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
時々、コーヒーを飲みます。
Sometimes, I drink coffee.
彼は時々、公園を散歩します。
He sometimes walks in the park.
時々、雨が降ります。
Sometimes, it rains.
彼女は時々、映画を見ます。
She occasionally watches movies.
時々、本を読みます。
Sometimes, I read books.
私たちは時々、レストランで食事をします。
We sometimes eat at a restaurant.
彼は時々、友達と会います。
He occasionally meets friends.
時々、日本語を勉強します。
Sometimes, I study Japanese.
時々、友達と映画を見に行きます。
Sometimes, I go to watch movies with friends.
彼女は時々、日本語で話します。
She sometimes speaks in Japanese.
私は時々、電車で本を読みます。
I occasionally read books on the train.
時々、カフェでコーヒーを飲みます。
Sometimes, I drink coffee at a cafe.
彼は時々、料理を作ります。
He occasionally cooks.
時々、公園で散歩します。
Sometimes, I take a walk in the park.
子供たちは時々、ゲームをします。
Children occasionally play games.
時々、雨が降ります。
Sometimes, it rains.
時々、週末に友達と映画を見に行きます。
Sometimes, I go to see a movie with friends on weekends.
彼は時々遅刻しますが、いつも一生懸命働きます。
He is sometimes late, but he always works hard.
このレストランは時々混雑していますが、料理はとても美味しいです。
This restaurant is sometimes crowded, but the food is very delicious.
時々、散歩中に珍しい鳥を見かけます。
Occasionally, I see rare birds during my walks.
彼女は忙しいですが、時々私にメールをくれます。
Although she is busy, she sometimes emails me.
日本の夏は時々とても暑くなります。
Japanese summers sometimes get very hot.
彼は時々冗談を言いますが、真面目な人です。
He sometimes jokes, but he is a serious person.
時々、新しい言葉を学ぶために辞書を使います。
Sometimes, I use a dictionary to learn new words.
週末には、時々友人とカフェで時間を過ごします。
On weekends, I sometimes spend time with friends at a cafe.
「週末には」 (on weekends) and 「友人と」 (with friends) are common phrases.
彼女は忙しいですが、時々趣味の油絵を描いています。
She is busy, but sometimes paints oil paintings as a hobby.
「〜ですが」 (but) connects two clauses. 「趣味の油絵」 (oil painting as a hobby).
子供たちは時々宿題を忘れて学校に行きます。
Children sometimes forget their homework and go to school.
「〜を忘れる」 (to forget something) is a common verb.
彼はあまり運動しませんが、時々ジョギングに出かけます。
He doesn't exercise much, but sometimes goes jogging.
「あまり〜ない」 (not very much). 「ジョギングに出かける」 (to go out for a jog).
会社の飲み会には時々参加しますが、いつもではありません。
I sometimes participate in company drinking parties, but not always.
「〜には参加する」 (to participate in something). 「いつもではありません」 (not always).
このレストランはいつも混んでいますが、時々予約なしで入れます。
This restaurant is always crowded, but sometimes you can get in without a reservation.
「〜が、〜」 (but) connects clauses. 「予約なしで」 (without a reservation).
彼は真面目な学生ですが、時々授業中に居眠りをします。
He is a serious student, but sometimes dozes off during class.
「〜ですが」 (but). 「授業中に」 (during class). 「居眠りをする」 (to doze off).
私たちは時々意見が異なりますが、最終的にはいつも合意に達します。
We sometimes disagree, but always reach an agreement in the end.
「意見が異なる」 (to disagree). 「最終的には」 (in the end). 「合意に達する」 (to reach an agreement).
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
सामान्य वाक्यांश
彼は時々遅刻します。
He is sometimes late.
時々映画を見に行きます。
I sometimes go to watch movies.
私は時々日本の音楽を聴きます。
I sometimes listen to Japanese music.
時々、公園を散歩します。
Sometimes, I take a walk in the park.
彼女は時々歌を歌います。
She sometimes sings songs.
時々、美味しいレストランに行きます。
Sometimes, I go to delicious restaurants.
彼は時々冗談を言います。
He sometimes tells jokes.
時々、友達と電話で話します。
Sometimes, I talk with my friends on the phone.
時々、私はとても疲れます。
Sometimes, I get very tired.
彼は時々、料理をします。
He sometimes cooks.
अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है
時々 belongs to a group of adverbs that describe how often something happens. Understanding the spectrum of frequency (from 'always' to 'never') is key to using 時々 correctly alongside other similar words.
While 時々 can be used with both positive and negative verbs, some frequency adverbs like めったに *require* a negative verb, which is an important distinction to remember when comparing them.
Many Japanese words that seem similar have subtle differences in nuance or implication. For 時々 and its close relatives, paying attention to the implied frequency level is crucial.
व्याकरण पैटर्न
मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ
"時々によって"
depending on the time/occasion
時々によって、レストランは混んでいます。
neutral"時々しか〜ない"
only sometimes, rarely
彼は時々しか笑わない。
neutral"時々だが"
although sometimes
時々だが、私は泳ぎに行く。
neutral"時々会う"
meet occasionally
私たちは時々会う友達です。
neutral"時々行く"
go occasionally
彼女はカフェに時々行く。
neutral"時々話す"
speak occasionally
私は彼と時々話す。
neutral"時々考える"
think sometimes
将来について時々考える。
neutral"時々雨が降る"
it rains sometimes
この地域は時々雨が降る。
neutral"時々食べる"
eat sometimes
私はケーキを時々食べる。
neutral"時々連絡する"
contact occasionally
私たちは時々連絡する仲だ。
neutralआसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले
Both いつも and 時々 refer to frequency, but いつも means 'always' or 'usually,' which is the opposite end of the frequency spectrum from 時々.
時々 is 'sometimes,' while いつも is 'always/usually.'
私は**いつも**朝ごはんを食べます。 (I **always** eat breakfast in the morning.)
たいてい means 'mostly' or 'usually,' implying a higher frequency than 時々 but not quite 'always.' Learners might confuse it with 時々 because both describe things that happen regularly, but at different frequencies.
時々 is 'sometimes,' while たいてい is 'mostly/usually.'
週末は**たいてい**家で過ごします。 (I **usually** spend weekends at home.)
よく means 'often' or 'frequently.' This is a higher frequency than 時々, but not as high as いつも or たいてい. The distinction can be subtle for learners.
時々 is 'sometimes,' while よく is 'often.'
彼は**よく**図書館に行きます。 (He **often** goes to the library.)
たまに also means 'occasionally' or 'rarely,' making it very close in meaning to 時々. The difference is subtle and can be a point of confusion for learners trying to discern the exact nuance.
While both mean 'sometimes/occasionally,' たまに generally implies a slightly lower frequency or more infrequent occurrence than 時々.
私は**たまに**辛いものを食べます。 (I **occasionally** eat spicy food.)
めったに means 'rarely' or 'seldom' and is almost always used with a negative verb. Learners might confuse it with 時々 if they don't fully grasp the 'rarely' aspect and the required negative verb.
時々 is 'sometimes,' while めったに means 'rarely' (and is used with a negative verb).
彼は**めったに**本を読みません。 (He **rarely** reads books.)
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
時々 + verb
私は時々コーヒーを飲みます。
時々 + noun + を + verb
彼は時々日本語を勉強します。
時々 + adjective + です
週末は時々暇です。
時々 + verb (in past tense)
私は時々旅行に行きました。
時々 + location + で + verb
彼女は時々カフェで働きます。
時々 + question word + verb?
時々どこへ行きますか？
時々 + clause + が
時々忙しいですが、頑張っています。
時々 + polite request
時々手伝っていただけませんか？
शब्द परिवार
संज्ञा
इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें
Use 時々 (tokidoki) when you want to express that something happens on occasion, but not frequently. It's more casual than saying 'sometimes' with a specific frequency (like once a week). Think of it as 'every now and then.'
Examples:
- 時々、友達と映画を見に行きます。 (Tokidoki, tomodachi to eiga o mi ni ikimasu.) - Sometimes, I go to see movies with friends.
- 休みの日に、時々公園を散歩します。 (Yasumi no hi ni, tokidoki kōen o sanpo shimasu.) - On my days off, I occasionally take walks in the park.
- 時々、日本語で夢を見ます。 (Tokidoki, Nihongo de yume o mimasu.) - Sometimes, I dream in Japanese.
A common mistake is overusing 時々 when a more specific frequency adverb might be better. For instance, if you mean 'often,' you should use よく (yoku) instead. If you mean 'rarely,' めったに～ない (mettani ~ nai) is more appropriate.
Incorrect usage example:
❌ 毎日、時々日本語を勉強します。 (Mainichi, tokidoki Nihongo o benkyō shimasu.) - This is contradictory. 'Every day' and 'sometimes' don't fit together. You'd say 毎日、日本語を勉強します。 (Mainichi, Nihongo o benkyō shimasu.) - I study Japanese every day. Or if you mean *some part* of every day, you might say 毎日、少し日本語を勉強します。 (Mainichi, sukoshi Nihongo o benkyō shimasu.) - I study a little Japanese every day.
सुझाव
Placement of 時々
Like many adverbs, 時々 (tokidoki) usually comes before the verb it modifies. For example, 時々映画を見ます (tokidoki eiga o mimasu) means 'I sometimes watch movies'.
Frequency Spectrum
Think of 時々 as being in the middle of your frequency adverbs. It's more often than 全然～ない (zenzen ~nai - never) and あまり～ない (amari ~nai - rarely), but less often than よく (yoku - often) or いつも (itsumo - always).
Writing 時々
You might see 時々 written with both kanji (時々) or with a repetition mark (時々). Both are correct and mean the same thing. The repetition mark (々) is called a 'doubling kanji' or 'odoriji' and is used to avoid writing the same kanji twice. It's a nice shortcut once you get used to it!
Use with other particles
時々 doesn't need a particle after it when it modifies a verb directly. However, it can be followed by particles like は (wa) for emphasis, e.g., 時々は忙しいです (tokidoki wa isogashii desu - sometimes I am busy).
Don't confuse with 時々だ
時々 (tokidoki) is an adverb. If you add だ (da) or です (desu), it usually implies 'it's occasional' or 'it's sometimes the case', referring to a state. E.g., それは時々だ (sore wa tokidoki da - that's occasional).
Listening practice
Listen for 時々 in Japanese conversations, dramas, or anime. Pay attention to the context to see how often 'sometimes' really means. It's a very common word.
Practice sentences
Try making your own sentences using 時々. For example, 時々日本語を勉強します (tokidoki nihongo o benkyō shimasu - I sometimes study Japanese). This will help you internalize its usage.
質問: どれぐらいですか
When someone asks どれぐらいですか (dore gurai desu ka - how often/much?), you can respond with 時々です (tokidoki desu - sometimes) as a quick answer.
Not for 'from time to time'
While 'sometimes' can mean 'from time to time' in English, 時々 is a direct translation. For more emphasis on 'from time to time' or 'now and then', you might hear たまに (tamani), which implies a slightly less frequent occurrence than 時々.
Related words: 時折 (tokiori)
For a slightly more formal or literary way to say 'occasionally' or 'at times', you might encounter 時折 (tokiori). It carries a similar meaning but isn't as common in everyday conversation as 時々.
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of a clock (時) ticking twice (々). It happens 'sometimes' but not all the time.
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine two clocks (時時) side-by-side, each ticking intermittently, representing 'sometimes'.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Describe a few things you do 'sometimes' in Japanese using 時々.
शब्द की उत्पत्ति
From Middle Chinese '時' (time) and '々' (a repetition symbol called 'noma' or 'odoriji')
मूल अर्थ: The repetition symbol indicates a doubling of the previous kanji, so '時々' literally means 'time time'. This repetition conveys the meaning of 'every time' or 'from time to time', hence 'sometimes'.
Sino-Japanese (kan-on reading for 時)सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ
The concept of repetition for emphasis or plurality is common in Japanese. While '時々' directly translates to 'sometimes', its use often implies a more regular or expected 'sometimes' compared to other words that might mean 'rarely'.
असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें
वास्तविक संदर्भ
Describing frequency of activities/hobbies
- 時々映画を見ます。(I sometimes watch movies.)
- 週末は時々公園に行きます。(On weekends, I occasionally go to the park.)
- 時々友達と飲みに行きます。(I sometimes go out drinking with friends.)
Talking about weather patterns
- 冬は時々雪が降ります。(It sometimes snows in winter.)
- 夏は時々雨が降ります。(It occasionally rains in summer.)
- 時々曇り空になりますね。(It sometimes gets cloudy, doesn't it?)
Discussing habits or routines
- 時々朝ごはんを食べません。(I sometimes don't eat breakfast.)
- 彼は時々遅刻します。(He is occasionally late.)
- 時々ウォーキングをします。(I sometimes go for a walk.)
Expressing mild preferences or dislikes
- 時々甘いものが食べたくなります。(I sometimes feel like eating something sweet.)
- 時々辛いものが欲しくなります。(I occasionally crave spicy food.)
- 時々コーヒーを飲みたくなります。(I sometimes want to drink coffee.)
Referring to infrequent occurrences
- 時々変な夢を見ます。(I occasionally have strange dreams.)
- 時々こういうことがあります。(Things like this sometimes happen.)
- 時々昔のことを思い出します。(I sometimes remember old things.)
बातचीत की शुरुआत
"時々何を食べますか？ (What do you sometimes eat?)"
"週末は時々何をしますか？ (What do you occasionally do on weekends?)"
"時々どんな音楽を聴きますか？ (What kind of music do you sometimes listen to?)"
"時々どこに行きますか？ (Where do you occasionally go?)"
"時々ストレスを感じますか？ (Do you sometimes feel stressed?)"
डायरी विषय
最近、時々していることは何ですか？ (What have you been doing occasionally lately?)
時々訪れる場所について書いてみましょう。(Write about a place you occasionally visit.)
時々思うこと、感じることを記録してみましょう。(Try to record things you sometimes think or feel.)
時々食べるお気に入りの食べ物は何ですか？その理由も教えてください。(What is your favorite food to eat occasionally? Please also tell me why.)
時々見る夢について書いてみましょう。(Write about a dream you sometimes have.)
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालYou pronounce it as to-ki-do-ki. The 'o' in 'toki' is like the 'o' in 'go', and 'ki' is like the 'kee' in 'keep'. The 'do' is like the 'doh' in 'dough'.
Yes, it does. The kanji is 時々. The repetition mark (々) indicates that the kanji 時 is repeated.
Yes, you can. For example, 時々、友達と映画を見に行きます。 (Sometimes, I go to see movies with friends.)
It's generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
時々 emphasizes the idea of 'sometimes' as in 'on occasion,' while 時には can imply 'at times' or 'there are times when,' often suggesting a wider range of possibilities or variability. 時々 is more straightforward for 'sometimes'.
Yes, there are. For example, you could use たまに (tamani), which is often considered a bit more casual than 時々. Another option is 時として (toki to shite), which can be more formal.
You can place it before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence. For example: 私は時々、日本語を勉強します。 (I sometimes study Japanese.) or 時々、雨が降ります。 (Sometimes, it rains.)
It's pretty straightforward. It simply means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally.' It doesn't carry strong positive or negative connotations.
Not directly in the sense of 'sometimes noun.' It modifies verbs or entire clauses. For example, you wouldn't say '時々犬' (sometimes dog). You'd say something like 時々犬を散歩させます。 (Sometimes I walk the dog.)
While the kanji form 時々 is common, you might also see it written in hiragana as ときどき, especially in materials for younger learners or in more informal writing. However, the kanji form is generally preferred in standard writing.
खुद को परखो 168 सवाल
私は___日本語を勉強します。(I sometimes study Japanese.)
「時々」means sometimes. It fits the English translation.
あなたは___映画を見ますか。(Do you sometimes watch movies?)
「時々」is the correct adverb for 'sometimes' in this question.
彼は___公園で散歩します。(He occasionally walks in the park.)
To express 'occasionally', 「時々」is the best fit.
私たちは___レストランで夕食を食べます。(We sometimes eat dinner at a restaurant.)
「時々」means sometimes and makes sense in this sentence.
私の友達は___京都へ旅行に行きます。(My friend sometimes travels to Kyoto.)
「時々」is the appropriate word for 'sometimes' in this context.
夏に、私は___海に行きます。(In summer, I occasionally go to the beach.)
「時々」best conveys the meaning of 'occasionally' or 'sometimes' for summer activities.
Choose the correct hiragana for 時々.
時々 is read as ときどき.
Which English word is closest in meaning to 時々?
時々 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'.
Select the correct sentence using 時々:
This sentence correctly uses 時々 to describe an occasional action. The other options are grammatically incorrect or nonsensical.
時々 means 'always'.
時々 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally', not 'always'.
You can use 時々 to describe something that happens rarely.
時々 (tokidoki) can indeed describe something that happens rarely or occasionally.
時々 is a noun.
時々 is an adverb, not a noun. It modifies verbs to indicate frequency.
Write a short sentence saying you sometimes eat sushi.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
時々寿司を食べます。
Write a short sentence saying you sometimes read books.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
時々本を読みます。
Write a short sentence saying you sometimes drink coffee.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
時々コーヒーを飲みます。
What does Tanaka-san sometimes do?
Read this passage:
田中さんは時々映画を見ます。彼は映画が好きです。
What does Tanaka-san sometimes do?
The passage says 「田中さんは時々映画を見ます。」 which means 'Mr. Tanaka sometimes watches movies.'
The passage says 「田中さんは時々映画を見ます。」 which means 'Mr. Tanaka sometimes watches movies.'
What do I sometimes do with friends?
Read this passage:
私は時々友達と公園に行きます。公園は広いです。
What do I sometimes do with friends?
The passage says 「私は時々友達と公園に行きます。」 which means 'I sometimes go to the park with friends.'
The passage says 「私は時々友達と公園に行きます。」 which means 'I sometimes go to the park with friends.'
What does she sometimes study?
Read this passage:
彼女は時々日本語を勉強します。日本語は難しいです。
What does she sometimes study?
The passage says 「彼女は時々日本語を勉強します。」 which means 'She sometimes studies Japanese.'
The passage says 「彼女は時々日本語を勉強します。」 which means 'She sometimes studies Japanese.'
This sentence means 'I sometimes eat sushi.' The word '時々' (sometimes) comes before the verb '食べます' (eat).
This sentence means 'He sometimes goes to the park.' '時々' (sometimes) is placed before the verb '行きます' (goes).
This sentence means 'She sometimes studies Japanese.' '時々' (sometimes) is placed before the verb '勉強します' (studies).
私は___公園を散歩します。
The sentence means 'I ___ take a walk in the park.' '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes,' which fits the context of occasional walks.
週末、彼は___友達と映画を見に行きます。
The sentence means 'On weekends, he ___ goes to watch movies with friends.' '時々' (tokidoki) implies an occasional activity.
疲れている時、私は___早く寝ます。
The sentence means 'When I'm tired, I ___ go to bed early.' '時々' (tokidoki) suggests that going to bed early happens sometimes when tired.
私の猫は___変な場所で寝ています。
The sentence means 'My cat ___ sleeps in strange places.' '時々' (tokidoki) indicates that this happens occasionally.
彼女は___週末にハイキングに行きます。
The sentence means 'She ___ goes hiking on weekends.' '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes,' implying it's not every weekend.
彼は___宿題を忘れてしまいます。
The sentence means 'He ___ forgets his homework.' '時々' (tokidoki) suggests that forgetting homework happens occasionally.
Choose the correct translation for "時々".
時々 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally' in Japanese.
Which sentence uses 時々 correctly?
時々 (tokidoki) is an adverb indicating frequency. It works best with actions that happen occasionally, like studying.
What is the most appropriate word to fill in the blank? 私は___映画を見ます。
The sentence implies an action that happens occasionally. '時々' (sometimes) fits best here.
The word 時々 means 'always'.
時々 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally', not 'always'.
You can use 時々 to describe something that happens rarely.
時々 (tokidoki) can indeed be used to describe something that happens rarely or occasionally.
時々 is typically placed at the end of a sentence.
時々 (tokidoki) is an adverb and usually comes before the verb or at the beginning of the sentence, not at the end.
What do they sometimes do at the cafe?
What kind of movies does he sometimes watch?
How do they sometimes talk to friends?
Read this aloud:
時々、公園を散歩します。
Focus: tokidoki, koen o sanpo shimasu
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
時々、日本の音楽を聞きます。
Focus: tokidoki, nihon no ongaku o kikimasu
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
時々、早く起きます。
Focus: tokidoki, hayaku okimasu
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a sentence in Japanese saying 'I sometimes eat sushi.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は時々寿司を食べます。
Write a sentence in Japanese saying 'Sometimes I read books.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は時々本を読みます。
Write a sentence in Japanese describing something you occasionally do on the weekends.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
週末に時々映画を見ます。
What does B sometimes do on the weekends?
Read this passage:
A: 週末は何をしますか？ B: 週末は時々友達と会います。あとは家でゆっくり過ごします。 C: いいですね！
What does B sometimes do on the weekends?
B says: '週末は時々友達と会います。'
B says: '週末は時々友達と会います。'
What does the speaker sometimes drink?
Read this passage:
私は毎日コーヒーを飲みますが、時々紅茶も飲みます。紅茶を飲むのは、リラックスしたい時です。
What does the speaker sometimes drink?
The speaker says '時々紅茶も飲みます。'
The speaker says '時々紅茶も飲みます。'
What is Tanaka-san's hobby?
Read this passage:
田中さんは忙しい人です。いつも働いていますが、時々旅行に行きます。旅行は彼の趣味です。
What is Tanaka-san's hobby?
The passage states '旅行は彼の趣味です。'
The passage states '旅行は彼の趣味です。'
This sentence means 'I sometimes eat sushi.' The typical Japanese sentence structure is Subject-Adverb-Object-Verb. '私は' (I) is the subject, '時々' (sometimes) is the adverb, '寿司を' (sushi) is the object, and '食べます' (eat) is the verb.
This sentence means 'She sometimes takes a walk in the park.' '彼女は' (She) is the subject, '時々' (sometimes) is the adverb, '公園を' (park) is the object, and '散歩します' (takes a walk) is the verb.
This sentence means 'We sometimes watch movies.' '私たちは' (We) is the subject, '時々' (sometimes) is the adverb, '映画を' (movie) is the object, and '見ます' (watch) is the verb.
週末は___映画を見に行きます。
「時々」は「sometimes, occasionally」という意味で、週末にたまに映画を見に行く状況に合います。
彼は忙しいですが、___友達と食事に行きます。
忙しい中でも「時々」友達と食事に行く、という頻度を示すのに適切です。
私は___公園で散歩します。
習慣的に公園で散歩するが、毎日ではない場合に「時々」が当てはまります。
彼女は___海外旅行をします。
海外旅行の頻度が「たまに」であることを表現するのに「時々」が適切です。
このレストランは人気ですが、___予約なしで入れます。
人気があっても「たまに」予約なしで入れることがある、という状況を表します。
疲れていると、___日本語の勉強をさぼってしまいます。
疲れているときに「たまに」勉強をさぼってしまう、という状況に合います。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は___図書館に行きます。
The sentence means 'He ___ goes to the library.' '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes', which fits the context well. 'いつも' (itsumo) means 'always', 'めったに' (mettani) means 'rarely', and '決して' (kesshite) means 'never'.
Which sentence uses '時々' correctly?
'時々' is an adverb that modifies verbs, indicating how often an action occurs. '私は時々日本語を勉強します。' (I sometimes study Japanese.) is the only sentence where '時々' is used to modify a verb correctly. The other options use '時々' with nouns or adjectives in an incorrect way.
Select the sentence where '時々' means 'occasionally'.
The sentence '彼女は時々カフェで本を読みます。' (She occasionally reads books at a cafe.) correctly uses '時々' to express 'occasionally'. The other sentences describe actions happening 'every day', 'always', or 'never', which are not synonyms for 'occasionally'.
The phrase '時々雨が降ります' means 'It always rains'.
'時々雨が降ります' (tokidoki ame ga furimasu) means 'It sometimes rains' or 'It occasionally rains', not 'It always rains'. 'いつも雨が降ります' (itsumo ame ga furimasu) would mean 'It always rains'.
'時々' can be used to describe an event that happens often.
While '時々' translates to 'sometimes' or 'occasionally', which implies not very often, it can still describe an event that happens with some frequency, just not 'always' or 'every day'. It indicates an irregular occurrence.
If someone says '私は時々ビールを飲みます', it means they never drink beer.
'私は時々ビールを飲みます' (watashi wa tokidoki biiru o nomimasu) means 'I sometimes drink beer'. It implies that the person does drink beer, but not regularly. If they never drank beer, they would say '私は決してビールを飲みません' (watashi wa kesshite biiru o nomimasen).
Write a short paragraph about something you do sometimes on weekends. Use 時々 in your answer.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は時々週末に映画を見ます。リラックスできます。 (I sometimes watch movies on the weekends. It's relaxing.)
Describe a situation where you occasionally meet an old friend. Use 時々.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
旧友と時々駅で会います。たまたまです。 (I sometimes meet old friends at the station. It's by chance.)
Write about a hobby you sometimes do, but not very often. Include why you don't do it more often. Use 時々.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は時々ギターを弾きますが、忙しいのであまり弾けません。 (I sometimes play the guitar, but I'm busy so I don't play much.)
田中さんはどのくらいの頻度で友達と飲みに行きますか？ (How often does Mr. Tanaka go drinking with friends?)
Read this passage:
田中さんはいつも忙しいですが、時々友達と飲みに行きます。それは彼のリラックス方法です。 (Mr. Tanaka is always busy, but he sometimes goes drinking with friends. That's his way to relax.)
田中さんはどのくらいの頻度で友達と飲みに行きますか？ (How often does Mr. Tanaka go drinking with friends?)
文章に「時々」と明記されています。(It is clearly stated as 'sometimes' in the text.)
文章に「時々」と明記されています。(It is clearly stated as 'sometimes' in the text.)
公園でイベントがあるのはいつですか？ (When are there events at the park?)
Read this passage:
この公園は普段静かですが、週末の午後に時々イベントがあります。 (This park is usually quiet, but sometimes there are events on weekend afternoons.)
公園でイベントがあるのはいつですか？ (When are there events at the park?)
文章に「週末の午後に時々」と書かれています。(It is written as 'sometimes on weekend afternoons' in the text.)
文章に「週末の午後に時々」と書かれています。(It is written as 'sometimes on weekend afternoons' in the text.)
筆者は毎日何をしていますか？ (What does the author do every day?)
Read this passage:
私は健康のために毎日運動しますが、時々お菓子を食べます。それは小さい楽しみです。 (I exercise every day for my health, but I sometimes eat sweets. That's a small pleasure.)
筆者は毎日何をしていますか？ (What does the author do every day?)
文章に「毎日運動しますが」と明記されています。(It is clearly stated as 'I exercise every day' in the text.)
文章に「毎日運動しますが」と明記されています。(It is clearly stated as 'I exercise every day' in the text.)
This sentence means 'I sometimes watch movies on weekends.' The structure is Subject + Frequency Adverb + Time/Location + Object + Verb.
This means 'She sometimes reads a book while drinking coffee.' 'ながら' connects two actions performed simultaneously.
This translates to 'We sometimes eat at new restaurants.' The adjective '新しい' comes before the noun it modifies.
週末は___、家族と公園へ行きます。
The sentence indicates an action that happens sometimes on weekends. 「時々」 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'.
彼は忙しいですが、___、私の手伝いをしてくれます。
The sentence suggests that despite being busy, he sometimes helps. 「時々」 (tokidoki) fits this context perfectly.
都会の生活は便利ですが、___、自然が恋しくなります。
This sentence expresses missing nature occasionally, even with the convenience of city life. 「時々」 (tokidoki) is the appropriate choice.
私は___、古い映画を観てリラックスするのが好きです。
The sentence implies a sporadic enjoyment of watching old movies. 「時々」 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally'.
このレストランは人気ですが、___、予約なしでも入れます。
Even though the restaurant is popular, there are times when one can enter without a reservation. 「時々」 (tokidoki) conveys this 'sometimes' meaning.
彼女は健康に気を使っていますが、___、甘いものを食べます。
Despite being health-conscious, she occasionally eats sweets. 「時々」 (tokidoki) is the best fit.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は___、図書館で本を読んでいます。
The sentence indicates an action that happens sometimes. '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally.' 'いつも' (itsumo) means 'always,' '決して' (kesshite) means 'never' (with negative verb), and 'めったに' (mettani) means 'rarely' (with negative verb).
Select the best translation for the underlined part: 私は<u>時々</u>、週末に山に登ります。
The word '時々' (tokidoki) directly translates to 'sometimes' or 'occasionally,' indicating an action that happens intermittently.
次の文の中で、「時々」の使い方が正しいものを選びなさい。
'時々' (tokidoki) refers to an action that happens occasionally. '彼は時々、朝食を食べません。' (Kare wa tokidoki, choushoku o tabemasen.) 'He sometimes doesn't eat breakfast.' is the only grammatically and contextually correct use. '毎日' (mainichi, every day) contradicts '時々'. '昨日' (kinou, yesterday) is a specific past event, not occasional. '未来を予知できます' (mirai o yochi dekimasu, can predict the future) is usually not a 'sometimes' action.
「時々」は、ある行動が非常に頻繁に起こることを示します。
「時々」 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally,' indicating an action that happens intermittently, not very frequently.
文中で「時々」が使われている場合、その行動は常に起こるわけではありません。
If '時々' (tokidoki) is used in a sentence, it means the action happens 'sometimes' or 'occasionally,' implying that it does not happen all the time.
「時々」は通常、未来の出来事について話すときにのみ使用されます。
「時々」 (tokidoki) can be used to describe past, present, or future occasional events. It is not limited to only future events.
The speaker is talking about video calls with family.
The speaker is talking about a restaurant's availability.
The speaker is talking about their social life.
Read this aloud:
私は時々、週末に古い映画を見ます。
Focus: ときどき
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Read this aloud:
彼は時々、仕事の後でジムに行きます。
Focus: しごと
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Read this aloud:
私たちは時々、一緒に旅行に行きます。
Focus: りょこう
तुमने कहा:
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Write a short paragraph about your weekly routine, mentioning activities you do sometimes or occasionally. Use 時々 at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の週のルーティンはかなり忙しいです。月曜日から金曜日までは仕事があります。週末は、時々友達と出かけたり、新しいレストランを試したりします。家で静かに本を読むこともあります。
Imagine you are describing the weather in your area. How often does it rain or snow? Describe other occasional weather phenomena. Use 時々.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の住んでいる地域では、夏は晴れの日が多いですが、時々夕立があります。冬は雪が降ることもありますが、頻繁ではありません。春と秋は比較的穏やかな天気です。
Describe a hobby or interest you have. How often do you engage in it? What are some things you do occasionally related to this hobby? Use 時々.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の趣味は写真撮影です。毎週のようにカメラを持って出かけるわけではありませんが、時々美しい景色を求めて旅行に行きます。普段は街中で面白いものを見つけたら写真を撮る程度です。
田中さんはなぜ公園を散歩することから始めたのですか？
Read this passage:
田中さんは新しい趣味を探しています。彼は友達から登山を勧められましたが、体力に自信がありません。しかし、健康のためには運動が必要だと感じています。そこで、田中さんは時々近所の公園を散歩することから始めることにしました。将来的に登山にも挑戦したいと考えています。
田中さんはなぜ公園を散歩することから始めたのですか？
パッセージには「健康のためには運動が必要だと感じています。そこで、田中さんは時々近所の公園を散歩することから始めることにしました」とあります。
パッセージには「健康のためには運動が必要だと感じています。そこで、田中さんは時々近所の公園を散歩することから始めることにしました」とあります。
日本のアパートで「時々部屋が狭く感じられる」主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
日本のアパートは、都市部では一般的に広さが限られています。そのため、多くの人は物をたくさん持たず、必要なものだけを所有しています。しかし、それでも時々部屋が狭く感じられることがあります。特に、季節の変わり目には衣替えで収納スペースが足りなくなることが問題です。
日本のアパートで「時々部屋が狭く感じられる」主な理由は何ですか？
パッセージには「日本のアパートは、都市部では一般的に広さが限られています。そのため、多くの人は物をたくさん持たず、必要なものだけを所有しています。しかし、それでも時々部屋が狭く感じられることがあります」とあります。
パッセージには「日本のアパートは、都市部では一般的に広さが限られています。そのため、多くの人は物をたくさん持たず、必要なものだけを所有しています。しかし、それでも時々部屋が狭く感じられることがあります」とあります。
佐藤さんが家族との時間を大切にするためにしていることは何ですか？
Read this passage:
佐藤さんは仕事で海外出張が多いです。彼のスケジュールは非常に不規則で、時には一週間以上家を空けることもあります。しかし、彼は家族との時間を大切にしたいと考えており、出張がない週末は必ず家族サービスをしています。時々、思いがけないトラブルで出張が延長されることもありますが、彼は常に前向きに対処しています。
佐藤さんが家族との時間を大切にするためにしていることは何ですか？
パッセージには「彼は家族との時間を大切にしたいと考えており、出張がない週末は必ず家族サービスをしています」とあります。
パッセージには「彼は家族との時間を大切にしたいと考えており、出張がない週末は必ず家族サービスをしています」とあります。
This sentence means 'I sometimes read books at a cafe.' The particles 'は' (wa), 'で' (de), and 'を' (o) mark the subject, location, and direct object respectively. '時々' (tokidoki) comes before the action.
This sentence translates to 'He sometimes goes fishing on weekends.' 'に' (ni) indicates time or direction. '時々' (tokidoki) modifies the verb '行きます' (ikimasu - goes).
This sentence means 'We sometimes cook dinner together.' '一緒に' (issho ni) means 'together.' '時々' (tokidoki) comes before the action of cooking.
彼女は___、忙しいスケジュールにもかかわらず、友達との時間を大切にしている。
文脈から、忙しい中で友人と会う頻度を表す「時々」が最も適切です。
この映画は、___哲学的テーマに触れるため、深い考察が必要となる。
映画が常に哲学的テーマに触れるわけではなく、たまに触れるというニュアンスなので「時々」が適しています。
彼はストレスを感じると、___一人で山に登り、心を落ち着かせているそうだ。
ストレスを感じるたびに山に登るわけではないが、たまに登るという文脈から「時々」が適切です。
その画家は、___伝統的な技法を破り、革新的な作品を生み出す。
伝統を破ることは毎回ではなく、ある程度の頻度で行われるため「時々」が合います。
研究チームは、___予期せぬ発見をすることで、科学界を驚かせた。
予期せぬ発見は常に起こるものではなく、ある程度の頻度で起こるため「時々」が適切です。
この古代都市の遺跡からは、___珍しい出土品が見つかり、歴史家を魅了している。
珍しい出土品が常に見つかるわけではなく、たまに見つかるというニュアンスなので「時々」が適しています。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は___、突然奇妙な行動をすることがある。
The sentence describes someone sometimes acting strangely, so '時々' (sometimes) is the most fitting choice.
Which sentence correctly uses '時々' to describe an infrequent but recurring event?
'時々' implies an occasional occurrence. Traveling abroad occasionally fits this description. The other options imply regular or absolute actions.
「あの店は美味しいけど、___閉まっていることがあるから確認した方がいい。」空欄に最も適切な語句を選びなさい。
The sentence indicates that the shop is sometimes closed, making '時々' the correct fit. 'いつも' (always) and 'ほとんど' (mostly) contradict the 'sometimes' meaning, and 'めったに' (rarely) suggests it's almost never closed.
「時々」は、非常に頻繁に何かが起こることを意味する。
「時々」means sometimes or occasionally, not very frequently. For very frequent occurrences, one would use words like 「いつも」 (always) or 「よく」 (often).
「私は時々コーヒーを飲みます」という文は、私が毎日コーヒーを飲むことを示している。
「時々」means sometimes. If you drink coffee every day, you would say 「毎日コーヒーを飲みます」 (I drink coffee every day) or 「いつもコーヒーを飲みます」 (I always drink coffee).
「時々」は副詞であり、動詞や形容詞を修飾する。
「時々」is an adverb, and like other adverbs, it modifies verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs, indicating when or how an action occurs.
Listen for how '時々' is used in a conversation about recent activities.
Listen for '時々' in a statement about health during seasonal changes in Japan.
Listen for '時々' in the context of software issues.
Read this aloud:
私は時々、週末に新しいカフェを探索します。
Focus: ときどき, たんさく
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
彼は忙しいですが、時々、家族のために料理を作ります。
Focus: いそがしい, りょうり
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
このプロジェクトは順調ですが、時々、意見の相違が生じることがあります。
Focus: じゅんちょう, いけんのそうい
तुमने कहा:
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Describe a hobby you pursue only occasionally, explaining why it's not a regular activity.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私の趣味の一つに、週末に山登りがあります。しかし、仕事が忙しいので、時々しか行くことができません。天候に左右されることもあり、なかなか定期的な活動にはなりません。
Write about a situation where you 'sometimes' feel a specific emotion, and what usually triggers it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は時々、昔の故郷を思い出して寂しい気持ちになります。特に雨の日や静かな夜に、家族や友人のことを考えていると、その感情が湧き上がってきます。
Imagine you're giving advice to a friend about adapting to a new culture. How would you use '時々' to describe common experiences or feelings?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
新しい文化に慣れるのは大変だよね。時々、言葉の壁を感じたり、文化の違いに戸惑ったりすることもあると思う。でも、それが普通だから心配しないで。
この男性にとって、「時々」の家族との時間がなぜ大切だと述べられていますか？
Read this passage:
彼は非常に忙しいビジネスマンで、いつも時間に追われている。そのため、家族と過ごす時間は非常に限られており、時々しか一緒に食事をすることができない。しかし、彼にとってその時々が、何よりも大切な時間である。
この男性にとって、「時々」の家族との時間がなぜ大切だと述べられていますか？
文章では、家族と過ごす時間が限られている中で、「時々」の時間が何よりも大切であると述べられています。
文章では、家族と過ごす時間が限られている中で、「時々」の時間が何よりも大切であると述べられています。
このソフトウェアについて、筆者が最も伝えたいことは何ですか？
Read this passage:
このソフトウェアは非常に高性能だが、時々予期せぬエラーが発生することがある。そのため、重要な作業を行う前にはデータのバックアップを取ることを推奨する。開発チームは問題の解決に向けて努力している。
このソフトウェアについて、筆者が最も伝えたいことは何ですか？
高性能であることは認めつつも、「時々予期せぬエラーが発生することがある。そのため、重要な作業を行う前にはデータのバックアップを取ることを推奨する」と、注意点とその対策が強く示されています。
高性能であることは認めつつも、「時々予期せぬエラーが発生することがある。そのため、重要な作業を行う前にはデータのバックアップを取ることを推奨する」と、注意点とその対策が強く示されています。
筆者が「時々やる気が出ない日」にどう対応しているか、最も適切なものはどれですか？
Read this passage:
私は健康のために毎日運動を心がけているが、時々、やる気が出ない日もある。そんな日は無理せず、軽いストレッチや散歩で済ませるようにしている。継続することが何よりも重要だと考えているからだ。
筆者が「時々やる気が出ない日」にどう対応しているか、最も適切なものはどれですか？
筆者は「無理せず、軽いストレッチや散歩で済ませるようにしている。継続することが何よりも重要だと考えているからだ」と述べています。
筆者は「無理せず、軽いストレッチや散歩で済ませるようにしている。継続することが何よりも重要だと考えているからだ」と述べています。
This sentence means 'Sometimes, opinions clash in meetings.' '会議で' (kaigi de) means 'in meetings', '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes', '意見が' (iken ga) means 'opinions', '対立することも' (tairitsu suru koto mo) means 'there are also times when they clash', and 'あります' (arimasu) means 'there are'.
This sentence means 'He sometimes takes unexpected actions and surprises those around him.' '彼は' (kare wa) means 'he', '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes', '予期せぬ' (yokisenu) means 'unexpected', '行動を' (kōdō o) means 'actions', '取って' (totte) means 'takes', '周囲を' (shūi o) means 'those around him', and '驚かせます' (odorokase masu) means 'surprises'.
This sentence means 'This project sometimes loses its direction.' 'この' (kono) means 'this', 'プロジェクトは' (purojekuto wa) means 'project', '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes', '方向性が' (hōkōsei ga) means 'direction', '見えなく' (mienaku) means 'become unclear', 'なる' (naru) means 'become', and 'ことがあります' (koto ga arimasu) means 'there are times when'.
彼女は___、深夜まで研究室に残って実験を続けている。
文脈から、彼女が深夜まで実験を続けるのは「たまに」の状況が適切です。「いつも」だと頻度が高すぎ、「決して」だと頻度が低すぎます。「たいてい」も頻度が高いです。
長編小説を執筆する傍ら、彼は___短編も手がける。
長編小説の執筆がメインの活動でありながら、それとは別に「たまに」短編も書く、という文脈が自然です。「常に」や「頻繁に」だと、短編がメイン活動のようになってしまいます。「めったに」だと、短編を書くことが非常に稀なことになってしまいます。
この地域は気候が不安定で、___予測不能な豪雨に見舞われる。
気候が不安定であるため、「たまに」予測不能な豪雨がある、という状況が最も適切です。「毎度」や「絶えず」、「常に」だと、豪雨が頻繁すぎてしまいます。
彼は厳格な規律を重んじるが、___冗談を言って場を和ませる。
厳格な人物でありながらも、「たまに」冗談を言うことで、そのギャップが表現されます。「いつも」や「頻繁に」だと、厳格な人物という設定と矛盾します。「決して」だと、冗談を言わないことになります。
哲学的な議論は難解だが、___思考の深淵を覗き見る機会を与えてくれる。
哲学的な議論は常に深い機会を与えるわけではなく、「たまに」その機会がある、というニュアンスが適切です。「常に」だと議論がいつも深淵であることになり、「めったに」だと機会が少なすぎます。「全く」だと機会がないことになります。
彼の発言は___皮肉めいているが、根底には深い洞察がある。
発言が「たまに」皮肉めいている、という状況が、その発言の背景にある深い洞察と対比されて自然な文脈を形成します。「常に」だと皮肉ばかりになってしまい、「一切」や「決して」だと皮肉ではないことになります。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は___、昔の友人を訪ねる。
The sentence means 'He sometimes visits old friends.' '時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes,' which fits the context.
Which sentence uses '時々' correctly?
The other options imply a continuous or completed action that doesn't quite fit 'sometimes.' '彼女は時々ピアノを弾きます' (Kanojo wa tokidoki piano o hikimasu) means 'She sometimes plays the piano,' which is a natural usage.
Select the sentence where '時々' conveys a sense of irregularity or infrequency.
The phrase '夏になると、時々花火大会が開催される' (Natsu ni naru to, tokidoki hanabi taikai ga kaisai sareru) means 'When summer comes, firework festivals are sometimes held,' implying an irregular occurrence. The other options suggest a more regular or common occurrence, which doesn't emphasize infrequency as much.
'時々' can be used to describe something that happens very often, almost continuously.
'時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally,' indicating infrequency, not continuous or very frequent occurrences.
The sentence '彼は時々嘘をつく' implies that he habitually lies.
'彼は時々嘘をつく' (Kare wa tokidoki uso o tsuku) means 'He sometimes lies.' This implies he lies on occasion, not habitually or always.
'時々' is interchangeable with 'いつも' (always) when describing habits.
'時々' (tokidoki) means 'sometimes,' while 'いつも' (itsumo) means 'always.' They are antonyms and not interchangeable when describing habits.
She sometimes thinks deeply about philosophical problems by herself.
That politician sometimes makes remarks that provoke the public's feelings.
When reading complex scientific papers, I sometimes don't understand the meaning of technical terms.
Read this aloud:
経済の変動は時々、私たちの生活に予期せぬ影響を与えることがあります。
Focus: 経済の変動 (keizai no hendō), 予期せぬ影響 (yokisenu eikyō)
तुमने कहा:
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Read this aloud:
彼は時々、自分の感情をコントロールできなくなり、衝動的な行動をとることがある。
Focus: コントロールできなくなり (kontorōru dekinakunari), 衝動的な行動 (shōdōteki na kōdō)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
最新のテクノロジーは時々、私たちの想像をはるかに超える進歩を見せる。
Focus: 想像をはるかに超える (sōzō o haruka ni koeru), 進歩を見せる (shinpo o miseru)
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are an elderly person reflecting on your life. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) about things you used to do sometimes when you were younger, and how those activities have changed or continued into your old age. Use 「時々」 at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
若い頃は、友達と時々夜通し語り明かしました。今では体力的に難しいですが、孫とテレビ電話で時々おしゃべりするのが楽しみです。昔のような活発な活動は減りましたが、心の豊かさは変わっていません。
You are writing a review for a local cafe. Describe your experiences there, specifically mentioning things you enjoy 'sometimes' doing at the cafe, or events that 'sometimes' occur there. Use 「時々」 at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このカフェは本当に落ち着く空間です。時々、窓際の席で本を読みながらゆっくり過ごすのが好きです。週末には時々、生演奏のイベントも開催されていて、それがまたこのカフェの魅力ですね。
Write a short personal reflection (3-4 sentences) about how you cope with stress. Include at least one instance where you do something 'sometimes' to relieve pressure. Use 「時々」 at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
日々の生活でストレスを感じることは少なくありません。そんな時は、時々一人で静かな場所に赴き、瞑想するようにしています。また、親しい友人と時々食事に行って、近況を語り合うことも良い気分転換になります。
Aさんが陶芸教室に通う主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
Aさんは、時々、休日に趣味の陶芸教室に通っている。そこでは、日常の喧騒を忘れ、土と向き合うことで心を落ち着かせることができる。彼の作品はまだ初心者レベルだが、完成した時の達成感は格別だ。最近では、教室の仲間と時々、作品展を企画する話も出ているという。
Aさんが陶芸教室に通う主な理由は何ですか？
パッセージの「日常の喧騒を忘れ、土と向き合うことで心を落ち着かせることができる」という記述から、Aさんが陶芸教室に通う主な理由が日常のストレス解消と心の平穏であることが読み取れます。
パッセージの「日常の喧騒を忘れ、土と向き合うことで心を落ち着かせることができる」という記述から、Aさんが陶芸教室に通う主な理由が日常のストレス解消と心の平穏であることが読み取れます。
Bさんはどのように日本の文化に触れていますか？
Read this passage:
Bさんは海外生活が長く、日本の文化に触れる機会が少なかった。しかし、最近はオンラインで日本の映画を時々観るようになった。特に、昔の時代劇やアニメーションがお気に入りだ。これにより、日本の言葉や習慣について新たな発見があり、とても新鮮に感じている。故郷への懐かしさも時々感じつつ、日本の文化に没頭している。
Bさんはどのように日本の文化に触れていますか？
パッセージに「オンラインで日本の映画を時々観るようになった」と明記されているため、これがBさんが日本の文化に触れる方法です。
パッセージに「オンラインで日本の映画を時々観るようになった」と明記されているため、これがBさんが日本の文化に触れる方法です。
C教授が専門分野とは異なる本を読む目的は何ですか？
Read this passage:
C教授は、専門分野の研究に日々没頭しているが、時々、気分転換のために大学の図書館で全く異なるジャンルの本を読む。例えば、宇宙物理学の論文の合間に、哲学書や歴史小説を手に取ることがある。このような読書が、時として彼の専門分野における新しい着想のヒントになることもあるという。彼はこの習慣を「知的な遊び」と呼んでいる。
C教授が専門分野とは異なる本を読む目的は何ですか？
パッセージの「時々、気分転換のために大学の図書館で全く異なるジャンルの本を読む」と「このような読書が、時として彼の専門分野における新しい着想のヒントになることもある」という記述から、この選択肢が正しいと判断できます。
パッセージの「時々、気分転換のために大学の図書館で全く異なるジャンルの本を読む」と「このような読書が、時として彼の専門分野における新しい着想のヒントになることもある」という記述から、この選択肢が正しいと判断できます。
This sentence describes someone occasionally asking philosophical questions unconsciously. The order builds up to the action.
This sentence describes a poet occasionally blurring the lines between reality and illusion. The sentence structure flows logically.
This sentence expresses that our civilization sometimes succumbs to self-destructive impulses. The phrase 'ことがある' comes at the end to indicate 'there are times when'.
/ 168 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
「時々」 (tokidoki) means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally,' indicating something happens irregularly.
- Not always, but sometimes.
- Happens once in a while.
- Infrequent occurrences.
Placement of 時々
Like many adverbs, 時々 (tokidoki) usually comes before the verb it modifies. For example, 時々映画を見ます (tokidoki eiga o mimasu) means 'I sometimes watch movies'.
Frequency Spectrum
Think of 時々 as being in the middle of your frequency adverbs. It's more often than 全然～ない (zenzen ~nai - never) and あまり～ない (amari ~nai - rarely), but less often than よく (yoku - often) or いつも (itsumo - always).
Writing 時々
You might see 時々 written with both kanji (時々) or with a repetition mark (時々). Both are correct and mean the same thing. The repetition mark (々) is called a 'doubling kanji' or 'odoriji' and is used to avoid writing the same kanji twice. It's a nice shortcut once you get used to it!
Use with other particles
時々 doesn't need a particle after it when it modifies a verb directly. However, it can be followed by particles like は (wa) for emphasis, e.g., 時々は忙しいです (tokidoki wa isogashii desu - sometimes I am busy).
उदाहरण
時々、日本の映画を見ます。
संबंधित सामग्री
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
संबंधित मुहावरे
general के और शब्द
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
