In 15 Seconds
- Means hanging out with friends on an occasional basis.
- Uses 'asobu' which applies to both children and adults.
- Perfect for describing casual, low-pressure social relationships.
- Can be made polite by changing to 'asobimasu'.
Meaning
This phrase describes hanging out or doing fun things with someone on an occasional basis. It is the perfect way to say you are casual friends who see each other every now and then.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a college friend
大学の友達と時々遊ぶよ。
I sometimes hang out with my college friends.
Explaining a hobby to a coworker
週末は時々オンラインゲームで遊びます。
I sometimes play online games on the weekends.
Texting a casual acquaintance
最近忙しいけど、また時々遊ぼうね！
I've been busy lately, but let's hang out sometimes again!
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Asobu' for adults often includes 'Nomikai' (drinking parties) or 'Karaoke', but it can also just mean sitting in a cafe for hours. In big cities like Tokyo, 'asobu' often happens in specific 'entertainment districts' like Shibuya or Shinjuku. Younger generations use 'asobu' to mean anything from gaming together online to taking 'Purikura' (photo booth) pictures. Saying 'Let's hang out sometimes' is a common way to end a meeting without committing to a specific date, maintaining harmony.
Use the ~te iru form
To describe a current friendship, '{時々|ときどき}{遊|あそ}んでいます}' sounds much more natural than the simple present tense.
Adults don't 'play' alone
If you are doing a hobby by yourself, use '{趣味|しゅみ}をする}' or the specific verb. 'Asobu' usually implies a social partner.
In 15 Seconds
- Means hanging out with friends on an occasional basis.
- Uses 'asobu' which applies to both children and adults.
- Perfect for describing casual, low-pressure social relationships.
- Can be made polite by changing to 'asobimasu'.
What It Means
時々遊ぶ is all about that sweet spot of casual friendship. The word 時々 means 'sometimes' or 'from time to time.' The verb 遊ぶ is a fascinating word in Japanese. While it literally translates to 'play,' adults use it to mean 'hanging out,' 'going out,' or 'having fun.' When you put them together, you are saying that you spend time with someone occasionally without a strict schedule. It is not a deep, daily commitment. It is just a relaxed, 'whenever we are free' kind of vibe.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase as a complete thought or part of a sentence. Simply place 時々 before the verb 遊ぶ. If you are talking to a teacher or a boss, change the verb to the polite form: 時々遊びます. You can add a person using the particle と. For example, 田中さんと時々遊ぶ means 'I sometimes hang out with Tanaka.' It is incredibly versatile for describing your social life without sounding like you are bragging about being too busy.
When To Use It
Use this when a coworker asks what you do on weekends. It is great for catching up with old classmates. You can use it when texting a friend to suggest a low-pressure meetup. It works well when describing hobbies too. If you play video games once a month, 時々遊ぶ fits perfectly. It is the ultimate 'low-maintenance' social descriptor. Use it at a party when someone asks how you know the host. It sounds natural and friendly.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in high-stakes professional settings. If you are meeting a client, do not say you 'play' with them. It sounds a bit too childish for a business deal. Also, be careful with romantic contexts. If you tell someone you 'sometimes play' with them, they might think you are not serious about the relationship. In Japanese, 遊ぶ can occasionally imply 'playing the field' if the context is spicy. Stick to platonic friends or actual games to stay safe. Also, do not use it for serious activities like studying or working.
Cultural Background
In Japan, social circles are often clearly defined. There are 'work friends,' 'school friends,' and 'hobby friends.' The phrase 時々遊ぶ helps define the boundary of a relationship. It suggests a comfortable distance. Japanese culture values 'ma' or the space between things. This phrase respects that space. It shows you enjoy someone's company without being overbearing. It reflects the modern Japanese lifestyle where people are busy but still value occasional face-to-face connection.
Common Variations
You might hear たまに遊ぶ, which means 'occasionally play' and is even less frequent than 時々. If you see someone all the time, you would say よく遊ぶ (play often). If you want to sound more masculine and casual, you might say 時々遊ぶんだ. If you are feeling extra polite, 時々ご一緒します (I sometimes accompany them) is the high-level version. But for 90% of your life, 時々遊ぶ or 時々遊びます is your best friend.
Usage Notes
The phrase is generally neutral. Use the dictionary form `遊ぶ` with friends and the polite form `遊びます` with people you aren't close to. Avoid using it in formal business proposals.
Use the ~te iru form
To describe a current friendship, '{時々|ときどき}{遊|あそ}んでいます}' sounds much more natural than the simple present tense.
Adults don't 'play' alone
If you are doing a hobby by yourself, use '{趣味|しゅみ}をする}' or the specific verb. 'Asobu' usually implies a social partner.
The 'Social Goodbye'
If someone says 'Let's hang out sometimes' but never follows up, don't take it personally; it's often just a polite closing.
Examples
6大学の友達と時々遊ぶよ。
I sometimes hang out with my college friends.
A very common way to describe maintaining old friendships.
週末は時々オンラインゲームで遊びます。
I sometimes play online games on the weekends.
Using the polite form 'asobimasu' for a professional setting.
最近忙しいけど、また時々遊ぼうね！
I've been busy lately, but let's hang out sometimes again!
The 'asobou' form makes it an invitation.
うちの猫は時々一人で遊んでいる。
My cat sometimes plays by itself.
Using the 'te-iru' form to describe a current habit.
彼とは時々遊ぶけど、詳しくは知らないんだ。
I hang out with him sometimes, but I don't know him well.
Highlights the 'casual' nature of the relationship.
弟とは今でも時々遊ぶよ。
I still play/hang out with my younger brother sometimes.
Shows a warm, ongoing family connection.
Test Yourself
Choose the most natural verb to complete the sentence about hanging out with a friend.
{週末|しゅうまつ}は{友達|ともだち}と{時々|ときどき}（ ）。
{遊|あそ}ぶ is the standard verb for hanging out with friends.
Fill in the blank with the word meaning 'sometimes'.
（ ）{遊|あそ}ぶ{仲|なか}です。
{時々|ときどき} means sometimes and fits the context of a casual relationship.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
A: {田中|たなか}さんと{仲|なか}がいいですか？ B: はい、（ ）。
The continuous form '{遊|あそ}んでいます' is the most natural way to describe a current social habit.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You see an old friend once every few months for coffee.
This phrase perfectly describes occasional social meetings.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Frequency Scale
Practice Bank
4 exercises{週末|しゅうまつ}は{友達|ともだち}と{時々|ときどき}（ ）。
{遊|あそ}ぶ is the standard verb for hanging out with friends.
（ ）{遊|あそ}ぶ{仲|なか}です。
{時々|ときどき} means sometimes and fits the context of a casual relationship.
A: {田中|たなか}さんと{仲|なか}がいいですか？ B: はい、（ ）。
The continuous form '{遊|あそ}んでいます' is the most natural way to describe a current social habit.
Situation: You see an old friend once every few months for coffee.
This phrase perfectly describes occasional social meetings.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! If you are playing with friends, '{時々|ときどき}ゲームで{遊|あそ}ぶ}' is very common.
No, it's too casual. Use '{お| }{会|あ}いする}' or '{話|はな}す}' instead.
'Tokidoki' is about 50% of the time, while 'tamani' is about 10-20%.
It can, but it's ambiguous. Context is key. If you say '{二人|ふたり}で{時々|ときどき}{遊|あそ}ぶ}', people might wonder.
Yes, '{犬|いぬ}と{時々|ときどき}{遊|あそ}ぶ}' is perfectly natural.
You can say '{時々|ときどき}{遊|あそ}びたいです}'.
No, use '{再生|さいせい}する}' for media playback.
No, use '{演|えん}じる}'.
It's neutral. You can use it in both casual and formal writing.
Either '{全|まった}く{遊|あそ}ばない}' (never) or '{毎日|まいにち}{遊|あそ}ぶ}' (every day).
Related Phrases
たまに{遊|あそ}ぶ
similarTo hang out occasionally.
よく{遊|あそ}ぶ
contrastTo hang out often.
{遊|あそ}びに{行|い}く
builds onTo go out to hang out.
{飲|の}みに{行|い}く
specialized formTo go out for drinks.
{暇|ひま}をつぶす
similarTo kill time.
