In 15 Seconds
- Means you exercise occasionally but not every single day.
- Combines 'sometimes' (tokidoki) with 'exercise' (undō) and 'do' (suru).
- Perfect for small talk, health checks, or casual hobby discussions.
Meaning
This phrase is the perfect way to tell someone you work out occasionally. It suggests you aren't a gym addict, but you definitely make an effort to stay active every now and then.
Key Examples
3 of 6Chatting with a new friend about hobbies
健康のために、時々運動するよ。
I exercise sometimes for my health.
A doctor asking about your lifestyle
はい、時々運動します。
Yes, I exercise sometimes.
Texting a friend who is a fitness nut
私は時々運動するだけだよ。無理しないで！
I only exercise sometimes. Don't push me!
Cultural Background
The 'Radio Taiso' culture means many Japanese people have a baseline level of exercise that they might not even count as 'undō'. Many companies have health goals for employees. Saying you 'sometimes exercise' is a safe way to show you are following company health guidelines. With the rise of 'Chocozap' (mini-gyms), the barrier to 'undō' has lowered, making 'tokidoki' a very common self-description for city dwellers. Exercise is often associated with 'Bukatsu' (club activities). Adults who don't do Bukatsu anymore often use 'tokidoki' to describe their much lighter fitness routine.
The 'Suru' Power
Remember that 'undō' is a noun. You must add 'suru' to make it an action. Without 'suru', you're just saying 'Sometimes exercise.'
Modesty is Key
Even if you exercise 3 times a week, saying 'tokidoki' sounds more humble and natural in Japanese social settings.
In 15 Seconds
- Means you exercise occasionally but not every single day.
- Combines 'sometimes' (tokidoki) with 'exercise' (undō) and 'do' (suru).
- Perfect for small talk, health checks, or casual hobby discussions.
What It Means
時々運動する is your go-to phrase for being relatable. It describes a habit that exists but isn't a daily obsession. You are telling people that you move your body, but you also enjoy your rest days. It’s the linguistic equivalent of owning a pair of running shoes that actually get used, even if they aren't worn out. In English, we might say "I work out sometimes" or "I get some exercise here and there."
How To Use It
The structure is very straightforward. You start with 時々 (tokidoki), which means "sometimes." Then you add 運動 (undō), the word for exercise or physical movement. Finally, you end with する (suru), the verb "to do." If you are talking to a boss or a new acquaintance, you should change する to します (shimasu) to keep it polite. It’s a very flexible phrase. You can drop it into a conversation about hobbies or health without any complex grammar.
When To Use It
This is a great "icebreaker" phrase. Use it when a coworker asks what you do for fun. It’s also perfect for those awkward doctor appointments when they ask about your lifestyle. You can use it in a text to a friend who is trying to motivate you. "Are you coming to the gym?" "Well, 時々運動する anyway!" It sounds balanced and healthy. It shows you care about your well-being without sounding like you're bragging about a marathon.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this if you are actually a professional athlete. If you spend four hours a day at the gym, 時々 (sometimes) will sound like a joke or a lie. Also, don't use it if your only "exercise" is walking from the couch to the microwave. Japanese culture values a bit of sincerity. If you use it while eating a giant donut, your friends might give you a funny look. Use it when there is at least a little bit of truth to the claim!
Cultural Background
In Japan, there is a massive culture of "Radio Calisthenics" or ラジオ体操 (rajio taisō). You might see groups of people in parks doing synchronized stretches to music. Because of this, the concept of 運動 (exercise) is very broad. It doesn't always mean a high-intensity crossfit session. It can just mean moving your body intentionally. Being "sometimes" active is seen as a respectable effort toward longevity, which is a big deal in Japanese society.
Common Variations
If you want to sound even more casual, you can use たまに (tamani). This means "once in a while" and feels even less frequent than 時々. If you want to sound like a health-conscious adult, you might say 運動を心がけている (undō o kokoro-gakete iru). This means "I make an effort to exercise." It sounds a bit more disciplined. For a very casual vibe with friends, you can just say たまに動く (tamani ugoku), which literally means "I move occasionally."
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and very safe to use. Just remember to use 'shimasu' for politeness in professional settings or with people you don't know well.
The 'Suru' Power
Remember that 'undō' is a noun. You must add 'suru' to make it an action. Without 'suru', you're just saying 'Sometimes exercise.'
Modesty is Key
Even if you exercise 3 times a week, saying 'tokidoki' sounds more humble and natural in Japanese social settings.
Examples
6健康のために、時々運動するよ。
I exercise sometimes for my health.
The addition of 'yo' at the end makes it sound friendly and conversational.
はい、時々運動します。
Yes, I exercise sometimes.
Using 'shimasu' instead of 'suru' makes this polite and appropriate for a clinic.
私は時々運動するだけだよ。無理しないで！
I only exercise sometimes. Don't push me!
Using 'dake' (only) adds a humorous, self-deprecating touch.
週末は時々運動することにしています。
I make it a point to exercise sometimes on weekends.
The phrase 'koto ni shite imasu' suggests a conscious habit.
時々運動するのはいいことだよ。
Exercising sometimes is a good thing, you know.
A gentle way to encourage someone without being pushy.
リフレッシュするために、時々運動するようにしています。
I try to exercise sometimes to refresh myself.
Shows the employer you manage stress well.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing frequency adverb.
{私|わたし}は（ ）{運動|うんどう}します。
'Tokidoki' fits the context of a general habit.
Which sentence is the most natural for 'I sometimes exercise'?
Choose one:
The 'suru' verb is required for actions like exercise.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {運動|うんどう}はしていますか？ B: はい、（ ）。
The answer should match the topic of the question (exercise).
Match the phrase to the best situation.
When would you say '{時々|ときどき}{運動|うんどう}します'?
'Tokidoki' implies a low but existing frequency.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of {運動|うんどう}
Cardio
- • ジョギング
- • 水泳
Strength
- • 筋トレ
- • 腕立て伏せ
Practice Bank
4 exercises{私|わたし}は（ ）{運動|うんどう}します。
'Tokidoki' fits the context of a general habit.
Choose one:
The 'suru' verb is required for actions like exercise.
A: {運動|うんどう}はしていますか？ B: はい、（ ）。
The answer should match the topic of the question (exercise).
When would you say '{時々|ときどき}{運動|うんどう}します'?
'Tokidoki' implies a low but existing frequency.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions'Tokidoki' is generally more frequent (maybe 30-50% of the time) while 'tamani' is less frequent (10-20% of the time).
No, 'undō' is strictly physical. For mental exercise, use '{頭|あたま}の{体操|たいそう}' (head calisthenics).
No particle is needed. Adverbs like 'tokidoki' can directly precede the verb phrase.
Yes, adding the particle 'o' is also correct and slightly more formal/explicit.
Related Phrases
{毎日|まいにち}{運動|うんどう}する
contrastTo exercise every day
{たまに|たまに}{運動|うんどう}する
similarTo exercise once in a while
{体|からだ}を{動|うご}かす
similarTo move one's body
{筋|きん}トレをする
specialized formTo do weight training
