Frequency Adverbs

This page looks at some of the most common frequency adverbs in Japanese. 

Quick Guide

いつも – All the time
いつでも – Any time
よく – Often
ときどき – Sometimes
たまに – Occasionally
まれに – Rarely

いつも

いつも means always or all the time.

• 納豆をいつも食べている- Always eating nattou. 
• いつも本を読んでいる – Always reading a book.
• いつも12時に寝ます – Always go to bed at 12. 

いつでも

いつでも means anytime.

• いつでも聞いて – Ask me anytime
• いてでも頼って – Rely on me anytime. 

よく

よく is an adverb that attaches before a verb (or verb clause) and means “often”.

• 本をよく読みます。I often read books.
• よく勉強する – I often study.
• 本をよく読みました。ー I read books often. (past tense)
• よく本を読みました – I often read books. (same as above)

As praise

よく can also be used in the past tense to mean “did well” (from the word good). This is a compliment about someone else.

• よく読みましたね。- Good job reading (it).
• よく食べました。- Ate well. (probably quantity)

ときどき

ときどき (時々) means sometimes. It may also use の to modify a noun.

• 時々本を読みます。- I sometimes read a book.
• 晩ご飯を時々作ります。- (I) sometimes make dinner.
• 時々のおきゃくさま。- The occasional guest.

たまに

たまに means occasionally. It requires the に particle because it refers to time and “たま” is actually a な adjective (not used).

• たまにいく – occasionally go
• 魚をたまに食べる – Occasionally eat fish
• たまにレストランで食べる – Occasionally eat at a restaurant.