In 15 Seconds
- Hanging out with someone as a recurring annual tradition.
- Combines 'every year' with the versatile verb for 'having fun'.
- Signifies a stable, long-term friendship or family bond.
Meaning
This phrase describes the act of hanging out or having fun with someone as a recurring annual tradition. It captures that special bond where you make a point to meet up at least once a year, no matter how busy life gets.
Key Examples
3 of 6Texting a high school friend after a reunion
楽しかった！これから毎年遊ぼうね。
That was fun! Let's hang out every year from now on.
Explaining a tradition to a new acquaintance
大学の友達とは、毎年遊んでいます。
I hang out with my college friends every year.
Talking to a former teacher you respect
先生とは卒業後も毎年遊んでいます。
I still meet up with my teacher every year after graduation.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Nen-ichi' (once a year) is a common social contract. It allows people to maintain deep friendships without the pressure of constant communication. Many Tokyoites use the 'Bon' holiday in August to return to their hometowns specifically to '{毎年遊|まいとしあそ}ぶ' with old school friends. Annual gaming conventions or new releases often trigger a '{毎年遊|まいとしあそ}ぶ' cycle among online friends who meet in person once a year. New Year's cards (Nengajo) often contain the phrase 'Let's hang out this year!' which reinforces the '{毎年遊|まいとしあそ}ぶ' cycle.
Use the '~te iru' form
Saying '{毎年遊|まいとしあそ}んでいる' sounds much more natural than '{毎年遊|まいとしあそ}ぶ' because it describes a continuing state of your life.
Asobu is for adults too!
Don't be afraid to use 'asobu' even if you are 50 years old. It just means you are having a good time with friends.
In 15 Seconds
- Hanging out with someone as a recurring annual tradition.
- Combines 'every year' with the versatile verb for 'having fun'.
- Signifies a stable, long-term friendship or family bond.
What It Means
毎年遊ぶ (mainen asobu) is a simple but heartwarming phrase. It combines 毎年 (every year) with 遊ぶ (to play/hang out). In Japanese, asobu isn't just for kids on a playground. It’s the go-to word for adults grabbing drinks, going to a concert, or just catching up. When you use this phrase, you’re talking about a ritual. It’s that one friend you see every summer or the group that always meets for New Year's. It implies a sense of loyalty and a friendship that stands the test of time.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is as easy as pie. You can use it to describe a current habit or to make a future promise. If you want to say you already do this, use the continuous form: 毎年遊んでいます (mainen asonde imasu). If you’re suggesting it to a friend, try 毎年遊ぼう！ (mainen asobou!). It fits perfectly at the end of a long day of fun. It tells the other person, "Hey, this was great, let's make it a tradition." Just remember that asobu is the action, and mainen sets the rhythm.
When To Use It
This is your go-to for reunions and seasonal events. Use it when you’re at a cherry blossom viewing party and realize you want to do it again next year. It’s great for texting a friend after a long time apart to re-establish a connection. You’ll also hear it during holiday seasons like Obon or New Year's. It’s a very positive, forward-looking expression. It’s like saying, "You are a permanent part of my calendar."
When NOT To Use It
Be careful in professional settings. Even if you really like your client, saying you want to asobu with them every year might sound a bit too casual. It can imply you aren't taking the business relationship seriously. Also, don't use it for people you barely know. It’s a bit intense to tell a stranger you want to see them every year! Save it for people you actually enjoy spending time with. Finally, avoid it for somber occasions; it’s a word strictly for fun and leisure.
Cultural Background
Japan is a culture of seasons and cycles. There’s a deep appreciation for doing the same thing at the same time every year, known as nenju gyoji. Whether it's visiting a specific shrine or seeing the fireworks, these traditions provide stability. 毎年遊ぶ taps into this cultural love for consistency. It turns a simple friendship into a personal tradition. In a fast-paced society, having someone you "play with every year" is a sign of a very stable and valued relationship.
Common Variations
If you want to sound a bit more polite, use 毎年遊びます (mainen asobimasu). To emphasize that it's a long-standing habit, you can say 毎年恒例で遊ぶ (mainen korei de asobu), which means "hanging out as an annual custom." If you’re talking to a best friend, you might just say 毎年会おう (mainen aou), which means "let's meet every year." Each variation keeps that core idea of an annual bond but tweaks the flavor of the friendship.
Usage Notes
The phrase is generally neutral to informal. Use the dictionary form `遊ぶ` with friends, and the polite form `遊びます` or `遊んでいます` when speaking to seniors or in more polite social settings.
Use the '~te iru' form
Saying '{毎年遊|まいとしあそ}んでいる' sounds much more natural than '{毎年遊|まいとしあそ}ぶ' because it describes a continuing state of your life.
Asobu is for adults too!
Don't be afraid to use 'asobu' even if you are 50 years old. It just means you are having a good time with friends.
Examples
6楽しかった！これから毎年遊ぼうね。
That was fun! Let's hang out every year from now on.
The 'ou' ending makes it a warm, casual invitation.
大学の友達とは、毎年遊んでいます。
I hang out with my college friends every year.
Using 'ande imasu' shows it's an ongoing habit.
先生とは卒業後も毎年遊んでいます。
I still meet up with my teacher every year after graduation.
Even with a teacher, 'asobu' can be used if the relationship is close and leisure-focused.
私たち、毎年遊んでるのに、いつも同じ話してるね。
We hang out every year, yet we always talk about the same things.
Highlights the funny side of long-term friendships.
遠くに引っ越しても、毎年遊ぼう。
Even if you move far away, let's hang out every year.
Expresses a strong desire to maintain a bond despite distance.
いとこ同士で、毎年遊ぶのが楽しみです。
I look forward to hanging out with my cousins every year.
Shows the phrase applies to family fun too.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'asobu' to show a habit.
{大学|だいがく}の{友達|ともだち}とは、{毎年|まいとし}________。
The '~te iru' form is used to describe a recurring habit or state.
Which sentence is the most natural for a casual conversation?
Talking about a yearly trip with friends:
'Maitoshi' is more natural than 'mainen' in speech, and 'asobu' is better than 'purei'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {彼|かれ}とはよく{会|あ}うの？ B: いや、でも________。
The 'iya' (no) suggests they don't meet 'often' (yoku), but 'maitoshi' (every year) provides the contrast of a steady tradition.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Common 'Maitoshi Asobu' Activities
Seasonal
- • Hanami
- • Skiing
- • Beach
Events
- • Festivals
- • Birthdays
- • New Year
Practice Bank
3 exercises{大学|だいがく}の{友達|ともだち}とは、{毎年|まいとし}________。
The '~te iru' form is used to describe a recurring habit or state.
Talking about a yearly trip with friends:
'Maitoshi' is more natural than 'mainen' in speech, and 'asobu' is better than 'purei'.
A: {彼|かれ}とはよく{会|あ}うの？ B: いや、でも________。
The 'iya' (no) suggests they don't meet 'often' (yoku), but 'maitoshi' (every year) provides the contrast of a steady tradition.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions'Maitoshi' is much better for social contexts. 'Mainen' is for statistics or formal reports.
It's a bit strange. Usually, you see them more than once a year. If you only see them once a year, you'd likely use '{遠距離恋愛|えんきょりれんあい}' (long-distance love).
No, for adults it means 'hang out', 'go out', or 'do something for fun'.
Related Phrases
{定期的|ていきてき}に{会|あ}う
similarTo meet regularly.
{腐|く}れ{縁|えん}
relatedAn inseparable (often long-term) bond.
{幼馴染|おさななじみ}
builds onChildhood friend.
{飲|の}み{仲間|なかま}
specialized formDrinking buddies.
