Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
~たびに (〜tabi ni)

~たびに (〜tabi ni)

Short explanation:

Express 'every time' or 'whenever'.

Formation:

Verb-たform + びに, Noun + ごとに

Examples:

彼女に会うたびに、心が弾む。
Kanojo ni au tabi ni, kokoro ga hazumu.
Every time I meet her, my heart leaps.
雨が降るたびに、懐かしい思い出がよみがえる。
Ame ga furu tabi ni, natsukashii omoide ga yomigaeru.
Whenever it rains, nostalgic memories come back.
この歌を聴くたびに、幸せな気分になる。
Kono uta wo kiku tabi ni, shiawase na kibun ni naru.
Every time I listen to this song, I feel happy.
家に帰るたびに、猫が出迎えてくれる。
Ie ni kaeru tabi ni, neko ga demukaete kureru.
Every time I return home, the cat greets me.

Long explanation:

The ~たびに grammar point is used to express that an action or event occurs every time or whenever something else happens. It can be translated as 'every time', 'whenever', or 'each time' in English. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with a verb or a noun.

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: ~たびに (〜tabi ni)

Japanese Grammar Point: ~たびに (〜tabi ni)

~たびに (〜tabi ni)

1. Introduction

The grammar point ~たびに (〜tabi ni) is a useful expression in Japanese that translates to "every time" or "whenever" in English. It is used to indicate that whenever a certain action or event occurs, another action or event invariably follows.


2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

  • ~たびに expresses the idea of "every time [A] happens, [B] also happens."
  • It emphasizes a consistent correlation between two events or actions.

Structure

Formation

Verb/Noun Form + たびに
Verb (Dictionary Form) たびに
Noun たびに

Diagram

[Verb (Dictionary Form)] + たびに + [Result]
         or
[Noun] + の + たびに + [Result]

Detailed Explanation

  • Verb Usage: When using verbs, the dictionary form (basic form) is used before たびに.
    • Example: 行くたびに (iku tabi ni) - "every time (I) go"
  • Noun Usage: When using nouns, add の before たびに.
    • Example: 旅行のたびに (ryokō no tabi ni) - "every time (I) travel"

3. Comparative Analysis

~ときに (toki ni) vs. ~たびに (tabi ni)

  • ~ときに means "when" and is used for single instances.
  • ~たびに emphasizes repetition and consistent outcomes every time. Example:
  • ときに: 学校に行くときに、雨が降った。
    "When I went to school, it rained."
  • たびに: 学校に行くたびに、彼に会う。
    "Every time I go to school, I meet him."

~ごとに (goto ni) vs. ~たびに (tabi ni)

  • ~ごとに means "every" or "at intervals of" and can indicate regular intervals.
  • ~たびに focuses on each occurrence of an event leading to the same result.

4. Examples in Context

  1. Formal - Written
    • 新しい場所を訪れるたびに、新しい友達ができます。
      • At every time I visit a new place, I make new friends.
  2. Informal - Spoken
    • 彼女は会うたびに、綺麗になっているね。
      • She gets more beautiful every time I see her, doesn't she?
  3. Using Nouns
    • この曲を聞くたびに、大学時代を思い出す。
      • Every time I listen to this song, I recall my university days.
  4. Expressing Negative Outcomes
    • 雨が降るたびに、試合が中止になる。
      • Every time it rains, the game gets canceled.
  5. Idiomatic Expression
    • チャンスがあるたびに、挑戦するべきだ。
      • You should challenge yourself whenever you have a chance.

5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

  • ~たびに is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
  • The level of politeness is adjusted by the verbs and endings used in the sentence.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • 旅の恥はかき捨て (Tabi no haji wa kakisute)
    • Literally: "Leave behind the shame of travel"
    • Meaning: When traveling, you can act freely without worrying about reputation.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

  1. Using the Wrong Verb Form
    • Incorrect: 行ったたびに
    • Correct: 行くたびに Use the dictionary form of the verb, not the past tense.
  2. Omitting の with Nouns
    • Incorrect: 試験たびに緊張する。
    • Correct: 試験たびに緊張する。 Remember to add の between a noun and たびに.

Tips

  • Mnemonic Device: Think of たびに as "tabbing" through repeated actions—every time you "tab," something happens.
  • Consistency: Associate たびに with events that consistently produce the same result each time they occur.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • ~たびに means "every time" or "whenever."
  • Use Verb (Dictionary Form) + たびに or Noun + の + たびに.
  • It emphasizes consistent and repeated outcomes.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: 母は買い物に行く____、ケーキを買ってくる。
    • a) たびに
    • b) ときに
    • c) から
  2. True or False: You can use the past tense of the verb before たびに.
  3. Choose the correct sentence:
    • a) 旅行たびに、新しい文化を学ぶ。
    • b) 旅行のたびに、新しい文化を学ぶ。

Answers:

  1. a) たびに
  2. False
  3. b) 旅行のたびに、新しい文化を学ぶ。

Thank you for studying ~たびに (〜tabi ni)!

Feel free to review this lesson and practice creating your own sentences using ~たびに.

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