Translation and Meaning of: 何時も - itsumo

If you are studying Japanese, you have certainly come across the word 何時も (いつも), which means "always," "usually," or even "never" when combined with negative verbs. But have you stopped to think about the origin of this term or how it is used in everyday Japanese? In this article, we will explore the etymology, practical use, and even some curiosities about this very common expression. Furthermore, if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, you will find valuable tips to permanently incorporate this word into your vocabulary.

Many people search on Google not only the meaning of いつも, but also its correct writing in kanji, examples of sentences, and how to differentiate it from similar expressions. Here, you will discover why this word is so versatile and how the Japanese use it in everyday situations — from casual conversations to more formal contexts. Shall we go?

Etymology and Origin of 何時も

The word いつも is written with the kanji 何 (which means "what" or "which") and 時 (which means "time"). Together, they form an expression that could literally be interpreted as "which time" or "at any time". However, its current usage goes far beyond this direct translation. The origin dates back to ancient Japanese, where いつ (itsu) was already used to indicate an indefinite period, reinforcing the idea of constancy or habituality.

Interestingly, although kanji are present in writing, Japanese people often use いつも in hiragana in most informal situations. This is because the reading is more intuitive and fluid without the ideograms, especially in everyday conversations. If you have seen animes or dramas, you have probably noticed that characters rarely write this word in kanji — except in more formal contexts or written texts.

Practical Use in Japanese Daily Life

One of the beauties of いつも is its flexibility. It can be used for both positive actions ("I always do this") and negative ones ("I never do that"), depending on the sentence structure. For example, いつもありがとう (itsumo arigatou) is a common way to thank someone for something they do constantly, while いつも行かない (itsumo ikanai) means "I never go." This duality makes the word extremely useful in various situations.

Another interesting aspect is how いつも appears in courteous expressions. In shops and restaurants, it's common to hear いつもお世話になっております (itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu), which translates to "we are always under your care." This phrase demonstrates continuous gratitude and is a great example of how the Japanese language values reciprocity and respect in social relationships.

Tips for Memorizing and Curiosities

If you want to memorize いつも, one tip is to associate it with repetitive situations in your routine. Think of something you "always" do — like having coffee in the morning or checking messages on your phone — and create simple sentences in Japanese. Another strategy is to use flashcards in Anki with real examples, like いつもこの店で買い物する (itsumo kono mise de kaimono suru - "I always shop at this store").

And here’s a fun fact: in some regional dialects of Japan, like that of Osaka, you might hear funny variations of いつも. Locals sometimes shorten it to いっつも (ittsumo), adding a more relaxed tone to the conversation. If you ever visit the country, pay attention to these little nuances — they showcase how the Japanese language is vibrant and full of personality!

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 常に (tsuneni) - Always
• いつも (itsumo) - Usually, habitually
• 日常的に (nichijouteki ni) - In everyday life, in day-to-day activities

何時も

Romaji: itsumo
Kana: いつも
Type: adverb
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: ever; generally; every time; never (with negative verb)

Meaning in English: always;usually;every time;never (with neg. verb)

Definition: 【always】 Always always. For example, it is used to always show gratitude, as in "Thank you very much".