Em 15 segundos
- Means crying occasionally or every now and then.
- Combines the frequency 'tokidoki' with the verb 'naku'.
- Used for sharing personal feelings or reactions to media.
Significado
This phrase describes the act of shedding tears every now and then. It's a simple, honest way to admit that emotions occasionally get the better of you.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Watching a sad movie with a friend
この映画を見ると、時々泣くよ。
I sometimes cry when I watch this movie.
Talking to a counselor or teacher
仕事のストレスで、時々泣きます。
I sometimes cry because of work stress.
Texting a close friend about a breakup
夜になると、思い出して時々泣いちゃう。
When night comes, I remember and sometimes end up crying.
Contexto cultural
In Japan, crying is often viewed as a private 'reset' button for stress. The concept of 'rui-katsu' (tear-seeking) has made admitting to crying more socially acceptable as a form of self-care. It reflects the balance between public stoicism and private emotional release.
The 'Oops' Factor
Use `泣いちゃう` (naichau) instead of `泣く` if you want to sound a bit more cute or imply that you couldn't help yourself.
Kanji Confusion
Be careful with the kanji! `泣く` is for humans crying. `鳴く` is for birds singing or dogs barking. They sound the same (naku)!
Em 15 segundos
- Means crying occasionally or every now and then.
- Combines the frequency 'tokidoki' with the verb 'naku'.
- Used for sharing personal feelings or reactions to media.
What It Means
This phrase is your emotional safety valve. It simply means you cry every once in a while. It isn't about being a constant 'crybaby.' It's about those human moments when feelings overflow. You are just admitting to having a heart. It is a very relatable and grounded expression.
How To Use It
You pair the adverb 時々 (sometimes) with the verb 泣く (to cry). In a sentence, 時々 usually comes before the verb. You can change the verb ending to fit the mood. Use 泣きます to be polite to strangers. Use 泣く when chatting with your best friends. It is a very flexible building block for conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when you're opening up to someone. Maybe you're talking about a sad movie. Or perhaps you're explaining how you handle stress. It works well in late-night heart-to-hearts. You can also use it when reminiscing about home. It adds a touch of vulnerability to your Japanese. It makes you sound more like a real person.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this in a high-stakes job interview. You want to appear composed and professional there. Don't use it if you are currently sobbing. In that case, just say 泣いている (I am crying). Also, don't use it for animals. Animals 鳴く (make sounds), but they don't 泣く (weep) from emotion. Using the wrong kanji can be a bit confusing.
Cultural Background
Japan has a culture of gaman or 'enduring.' People often hide their tears in public. However, there is a trend called rui-katsu (tear-activity). This involves watching sad movies specifically to cry. People believe crying 'detoxes' the soul and relieves stress. Admitting you 時々泣く shows you value this emotional release. It is seen as a healthy way to cope.
Common Variations
If you cry even less often, use たまに泣く (rarely cry). For an 'oops, I did it' feeling, say 泣いちゃう. If you want to sound more formal, use 泣くことがあります. To describe someone who cries easily, use the noun 泣き虫 (crybaby). You can also specify the reason, like 感動して泣く (cry from being moved). Each variation adds a slightly different flavor to your story.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and safe for most conversations. To make it softer, use the `~ちゃう` ending; to make it more professional, use the `~ます` ending.
The 'Oops' Factor
Use `泣いちゃう` (naichau) instead of `泣く` if you want to sound a bit more cute or imply that you couldn't help yourself.
Kanji Confusion
Be careful with the kanji! `泣く` is for humans crying. `鳴く` is for birds singing or dogs barking. They sound the same (naku)!
Tearful Detox
If you mention you cry sometimes for stress, Japanese friends might mention 'rui-katsu.' It's a popular health trend of intentional crying!
Exemplos
6この映画を見ると、時々泣くよ。
I sometimes cry when I watch this movie.
The casual ending 'yo' adds a friendly, conversational touch.
仕事のストレスで、時々泣きます。
I sometimes cry because of work stress.
Using the polite 'masu' form makes it appropriate for professional settings.
夜になると、思い出して時々泣いちゃう。
When night comes, I remember and sometimes end up crying.
'Naichau' expresses a sense of regret or lack of control.
玉ねぎを切る時、時々泣くんだよね。
I sometimes cry when I'm cutting onions, you know?
A lighthearted way to use the phrase in a literal sense.
小説を読んで、時々泣くことがあります。
There are times when I cry while reading novels.
'Koto ga arimasu' is a slightly more formal way to say 'sometimes.'
家族に会いたくて、時々泣く。
I sometimes cry because I want to see my family.
Short and direct, showing raw honesty.
Teste-se
Choose the correct frequency word to say you 'sometimes' cry.
___ 泣くことがあります。
`時々` (tokidoki) means sometimes, while `いつも` is always and `全然` is never.
Complete the sentence to say 'I sometimes cry because I'm sad.'
悲しくて、時々 ___。
`泣く` (naku) means to cry, which fits the context of being sad (`悲しくて`).
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality Spectrum of 'Crying'
Used with very close friends or family.
泣いちゃう (Naichau)
The standard way to express the idea.
時々泣く (Tokidoki naku)
Used in polite conversation or writing.
時々泣きます (Tokidoki nakimasu)
When to say 'Tokidoki Naku'
Watching a Drama
感動して泣く
Cutting Onions
料理中に泣く
Homesickness
Stress Relief
デトックスで泣く
Banco de exercicios
2 exercicios___ 泣くことがあります。
`時々` (tokidoki) means sometimes, while `いつも` is always and `全然` is never.
悲しくて、時々 ___。
`泣く` (naku) means to cry, which fits the context of being sad (`悲しくて`).
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasIt means 'sometimes' or 'at times.' It implies a frequency of maybe 30-50% of the time in specific contexts like 時々泣く.
It might be too personal for a typical boss. If you must, use the polite form 時々泣きます or the even more indirect 時々泣くことがあります.
Yes, but you should clarify it. Use 嬉しくて時々泣く (I sometimes cry because I'm happy) to avoid sounding sad.
No, it is gender-neutral. Both men and women use 泣く, though men might use it less often in public due to traditional social pressures.
時々 (tokidoki) is more frequent than たまに (tamani). Use たまに if you only cry once in a blue moon.
Change 泣く to 泣いた (casual) or 泣きました (polite). For example, 昨日は時々泣いた (I cried sometimes yesterday).
Yes, in the context of humans. It refers to the physical act of weeping or shedding tears from emotion.
Yes, but use the plain form 時々泣く or the formal 時々泣くことがある. It’s common in personal reflections.
Not necessarily. While public crying is rare, admitting to crying privately is often seen as being honest and emotionally healthy.
Use 泣き出す (nakidasu). For example, 時々急に泣き出す means 'I sometimes suddenly start crying.'
Not exactly slang, but ぴえん (pien) was a popular internet term for a 'sad/crying' face, though it's a bit dated now.
Yes, but for babies, we often use 泣き叫ぶ (nakisakebu - cry and scream) or just 泣く. 赤ちゃんが時々泣く is perfectly natural.
Frases relacionadas
涙が出る
tears come out
号泣する
to wail / cry loudly
泣き虫
crybaby
ほろりとくる
to be moved to tears
