By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
いつも (itsumo) is an adverb meaning “always” or “usually”. It is used to describe habitual or routine actions.
It is commonly used with verbs in the present tense to indicate something that happens regularly or without exception.
Example sentences:
- 私はいつも7時に起きます。
Watashi wa itsumo shichi-ji ni okimasu.
I always wake up at 7 o’clock. - 彼はいつも忙しいです。
Kare wa itsumo isogashii desu.
He is always busy. - いつも日本語を勉強しています。
Itsumo Nihongo o benkyō shiteimasu.
I’m always studying Japanese.
🔧 Usage Tips
- いつも is placed directly before the verb it modifies.
- It expresses habits or general frequency.
- When used in negative sentences, it can imply something like “never” depending on context. (e.g., いつも行かない = never go)
📝 Example Sentences
- 母はいつもおいしい料理を作ります。
Haha wa itsumo oishii ryōri o tsukurimasu.
My mother always makes delicious food. - 私はいつもバスで学校へ行きます。
Watashi wa itsumo basu de gakkō e ikimasu.
I always go to school by bus. - 弟はいつもテレビを見ています。
Otōto wa itsumo terebi o miteimasu.
My younger brother is always watching TV.
📝 Grammar Notes
- いつも is an adverb of frequency and does not change form.
- It is used in both casual and polite speech.
- Do not confuse いつも (always) with いつ (when), even though they look similar.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank with いつも
- 私は（＿＿）朝コーヒーを飲みます。
- 彼は（＿＿）笑っています。
- （＿＿）勉強していますか？
✔ Answers:
- いつも
- いつも
- いつも
2. Translate into Japanese
- I always eat breakfast.
- She is always kind.
- We always go shopping on Sundays.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 私はいつも朝ごはんを食べます。
- 彼女はいつも親切です。
- 私たちはいつも日曜日に買い物に行きます。
🈶 Vocabulary & Kanji Breakdown
| Word | Kanji | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| いつも | – | いつも | Always / Usually |
| 朝 | 朝 | あさ | Morning |
| 料理 | 料理 | りょうり | Cooking, Dish |
| 学校 | 学校 | がっこう | School |
| 弟 | 弟 | おとうと | Younger brother |
| 日曜日 | 日曜日 | にちようび | Sunday |
🔗 Related Grammar
- よく: Often, frequently
- たいてい: Generally, usually
- ときどき: Sometimes
🧠 Summary
- いつも is an adverb that means “always” or “usually”.
- It is used to express habitual or routine actions in Japanese.
- Level: JLPT N5
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I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
