In 15 Seconds
- Describes a person who is frequently away from home.
- Used for habits, social lives, or busy daily routines.
- Combines 'always' (itsumo) with 'to go out' (dekakeru).
Meaning
This phrase describes someone who is constantly on the move and rarely stays at home. It's the perfect way to talk about a social butterfly or someone whose schedule is always packed with errands and outings.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a social roommate
ルームメイトはいつも出かけるので、家ではあまり会いません。
My roommate always goes out, so I don't see them much at home.
Describing your own weekend habits
休日はいつも出かけることにしています。
I make it a point to always go out on my days off.
A polite observation about a neighbor
田中さんはお元気で、いつも出かけますね。
Mr. Tanaka is so energetic; he's always going out, isn't he?
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Uchi-Soto' (Inside-Outside) is central to Japanese culture. This phrase highlights the act of crossing that boundary into the public world. In dense urban areas, 'going out' is a primary form of social engagement because homes are often too small for hosting guests.
The 'Te-iru' Upgrade
If you want to sound more natural when describing a habit, use `いつも出かけている`. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the habit.
Watch the Destination
If you use `iku` (to go), you usually need a destination. `dekakeru` is special because it focuses on the act of *leaving* the house, so you don't always need to say where you're going.
In 15 Seconds
- Describes a person who is frequently away from home.
- Used for habits, social lives, or busy daily routines.
- Combines 'always' (itsumo) with 'to go out' (dekakeru).
What It Means
Think of that one friend who is never on their couch. They are at the park, the mall, or a cafe. いつも出かける captures that active lifestyle. It implies a habit of leaving the house frequently. It’s not just about one trip. It’s about a lifestyle of being 'out and about.'
How To Use It
You use this phrase to describe habits. It usually follows a person's name or a pronoun. You can use it to praise someone's energy. You can also use it to complain about someone never being home. It’s a simple verb phrase. You can easily turn it into いつも出かけている for more emphasis. This change suggests they are out *right now* or habitually.
When To Use It
Use this when chatting with friends about your weekend. It’s great for describing a roommate who is never around. If you're texting a date, you might say you 'always go out' on Sundays. It works well in casual storytelling. Imagine you're at a party. You see someone you recognize from every other event. You might whisper, "That person いつも出かける (always goes out), don't they?"
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very formal business reports. If a boss is leaving the office, use 外出する (gaishutsu suru) instead. 出かける feels a bit too personal or leisure-focused. Also, don't use it if someone is leaving forever. That would be 出ていく (dete iku). This phrase is for routine trips, not life-changing departures. If you're just going to the bathroom, this is definitely too dramatic!
Cultural Background
In Japan, there is a strong distinction between uchi (inside/home) and soto (outside/public). 出かける specifically marks the transition from the private sphere to the public one. Historically, being active outside was seen as a sign of health and social standing. Today, it’s often associated with the 'active senior' or the 'social youth.' It reflects the vibrant urban life in cities like Tokyo where 'home' is often just for sleeping.
Common Variations
If 'always' feels too strong, try よく出かける (often go out). If you want to sound a bit annoyed, use 出かけてばかり (doing nothing but going out). For a more polite touch, use いつも出かけます. You can also add a destination, like いつも週末に出かける (always go out on weekends). It’s a very flexible building block for your Japanese conversations.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral and safe for most daily situations. Just remember that in a professional setting, 'gaishutsu' is the preferred term for leaving the office.
The 'Te-iru' Upgrade
If you want to sound more natural when describing a habit, use `いつも出かけている`. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of the habit.
Watch the Destination
If you use `iku` (to go), you usually need a destination. `dekakeru` is special because it focuses on the act of *leaving* the house, so you don't always need to say where you're going.
The 'Genki' Connection
In Japan, telling an older person they `いつも出かける` is often a high compliment. It suggests they are healthy, active, and have a vibrant social life.
Examples
6ルームメイトはいつも出かけるので、家ではあまり会いません。
My roommate always goes out, so I don't see them much at home.
Uses the phrase to explain why a house feels empty.
休日はいつも出かけることにしています。
I make it a point to always go out on my days off.
Adding 'koto ni shite iru' implies a conscious decision.
田中さんはお元気で、いつも出かけますね。
Mr. Tanaka is so energetic; he's always going out, isn't he?
A polite way to comment on an elderly person's vitality.
君はいつも出かけてるから、捕まえるのが大変だよ！
You're always out, so it's hard to catch you!
The 'te-iru' form makes it feel more immediate and continuous.
宿題もしないで、いつも出かけてばかり！
You're always going out without even doing your homework!
Using 'bakari' adds a tone of criticism or annoyance.
あの子と一緒に、いつも出かけるのが楽しみだった。
I used to look forward to always going out with them (my pet).
Shows the phrase used in a nostalgic, past-tense context.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: 'I always go out with my friend.'
友達___いつも出かける。
The particle 'と' (to) is used to mean 'with' when performing an action with someone else.
Which word makes the phrase mean 'often' instead of 'always'?
___出かける。
'よく' (yoku) means 'often,' whereas 'itsumo' means 'always' and 'tokidoki' means 'sometimes'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Itsumo Dekakeru'
Talking to friends or family.
いつも出かけるね！
Standard polite conversation.
いつも出かけます。
Professional or business context.
常に外出しております。
When to use 'Itsumo Dekakeru'
Social Butterfly
Describing a friend who loves parties.
Active Lifestyle
Talking about your daily morning walks.
Absent Roommate
Explaining why you're home alone.
Busy Schedule
Telling someone you're hard to reach.
Practice Bank
2 exercises友達___いつも出かける。
The particle 'と' (to) is used to mean 'with' when performing an action with someone else.
___出かける。
'よく' (yoku) means 'often,' whereas 'itsumo' means 'always' and 'tokidoki' means 'sometimes'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsiku (行く) simply means to move toward a destination. dekakeru (出かける) specifically means to leave your 'home base' for a period of time with the intention of returning.
It can be! If someone doesn't literally go out *every* day, you might use よく (yoku - often) to be more accurate. However, itsumo is frequently used for hyperbole in casual speech.
Not really. For business, use 出張する (shucchou suru) for trips or 外出する (gaishutsu suru) for leaving the office. dekakeru sounds a bit more like personal errands or fun.
You can say あまり出かけない (amari dekakenai), which means 'don't go out much.' You wouldn't usually say いつも出かけない because that's a bit of a contradiction.
No, it could be a trip to the convenience store or a trip across the country. The focus is just on the fact that you left the house.
If you add masu to make it いつも出かけます, it is perfectly polite for a teacher or a stranger.
Yes! If your cat is always wandering outside, you can say うちの猫はいつも出かける (My cat always goes out).
You would say いつも飲みに出かける (itsumo nomi ni dekakeru). You just insert the purpose before the verb.
Not a direct slang word, but people might use アクティブ (akutibu - active) to describe the person who いつも出かける.
No, dekakeru is for leaving a building/home. To leave a room, use 出る (deru).
Related Phrases
外出する
遊びに行く
家を出る
よく出歩く
