Processing keyword: いつも～ (itsumo～)

Japanese Grammar Point: いつも～ (itsumo～)

いつも～ (itsumo～)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese adverb いつも (itsumo), which translates to "always" or "usually". Understanding how to use いつも will help you express habitual actions and routines in Japanese.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• いつも means "always", "all the time", or "usually".
• It indicates actions or states that occur regularly or habitually.

Usage and Structure

• いつも is placed before the verb it modifies.
• It can be used in both affirmative and negative sentences, but it does not negate the verb. Structure:

Subject + は + いつも + Verb

Example:

• 私はいつもパンを食べます。
  • Watashi wa itsumo pan o tabemasu.
  • "I always eat bread."

Formation Diagram

3. Comparative Analysis

Let's compare いつも with other frequency adverbs to understand the nuance. | Adverb | Hiragana | Meaning | Frequency Level | |-------------------|----------------|---------------------|-----------------| | いつも | いつも | Always | 100% | | よく | よく | Often | ~80% | | たいてい | たいてい | Usually | ~70% | | ときどき | ときどき | Sometimes | ~50% | | あまり (+neg) | あまり | Not very often | ~20% | | ぜんぜん (+neg) | ぜんぜん | Not at all/Never | 0% | Note: あまり and ぜんぜん are used with negative verbs.

4. Examples in Context

Sentence Examples

Formal Speech

1. 私はいつも朝6時に起きます。
   • Watashi wa itsumo asa 6-ji ni okimasu.
   • "I always wake up at 6 a.m."
2. 彼はいつも仕事で忙しいです。
   • Kare wa itsumo shigoto de isogashii desu.
   • "He is always busy with work."

Informal Speech

3. 田中さんはいつも元気だね。
   • Tanaka-san wa itsumo genki da ne.
   • "Tanaka is always energetic, isn't he?"
4. 君はいつも遅れる。
   • Kimi wa itsumo okureru.
   • "You always run late."

Written Context

5. 彼女は日記にいつも気持ちを書き留める。
   • Kanojo wa nikki ni itsumo kimochi o kakitomeru.
   • "She always records her feelings in a diary."

Polite Expressions

6. いつもお世話になっております。
   • Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu.
   • "Thank you for your continued support."

Negative Context

7. 彼はいつも文句ばかり言う。
   • Kare wa itsumo monku bakari iu.
   • "He always complains."

Questions

8. 週末はいつも何をしていますか？
   • Shūmatsu wa itsumo nani o shite imasu ka?
   • "What do you usually do on weekends?"

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

• いつも reflects the importance of routines and consistency in Japanese culture.
• Phrases like いつもありがとうございます show appreciation for ongoing relationships.

Levels of Politeness

• いつも is neutral and can be used in both casual and formal settings.
• In business Japanese, phrases like いつもお世話になっております are standard greetings in emails and letters.

Idiomatic Expressions

• いつもの (itsumo no) means "the usual".
  • いつもの店で会いましょう。
    • Itsumo no mise de aimashō.
    • "Let's meet at the usual place."
• いつも通り (itsumo dōri) means "as always" or "as usual".
  • 彼はいつも通り遅れてきた。
    • Kare wa itsumo dōri okurete kita.
    • "He arrived late as usual."

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

1. Misplacing いつも in a Sentence
   • Incorrect: 私はパンを食べますいつも。
     • Misplaced at the end.
   • Correct: 私はいつもパンを食べます。
     • いつも comes before the verb.
2. Using いつも with Negative Verbs to Mean 'Never'
   • Incorrect: 彼女はいつも来ません。 (Intending to say "She never comes.")
   • Correct Interpretation: "She always doesn't come." (This sounds unnatural.)
   • Tip: To express "never," use 決して (kesshite) with a negative verb.
     • 彼女は決して来ません。
     • "She never comes."

Learning Strategies

• Mnemonic Device:
  • Think of いつも as "It's (always) more."
    • いつ (itsu) sounds like "it’s"
    • も (mo) means "also" or "more"
• Remember Placement:
  • いつも is always before the verb—just like the meaning!

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• いつも means "always" and is used to describe habitual actions.
• Place いつも immediately before the verb.
• Do not use いつも with negative verbs to mean "never"; use 決して instead.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. Translate to Japanese: "They always study in the library."
   • Answer: 彼らはいつも図書館で勉強します。
2. True or False: いつも can be used with negative verbs to mean "never."
   • Answer: False
3. Fill in the blank: To say "as usual" in Japanese, you use いつも______.
   • Answer: どおり (itsumo dōri)

By mastering いつも, you can express habits and routines confidently in Japanese. Keep practicing by incorporating it into your daily conversations!