Translation and Meaning of: 度 - tabi

The Japanese word 度[たび] is a versatile term frequently used in everyday life, but it can cause confusion for language students. In this article, we will explore its meaning, most common uses, and how it fits into the grammatical structure of Japanese. Additionally, we will look at some compound expressions that include this word and how it appears in cultural contexts.

If you have ever wondered how to use 度[たび] correctly in a sentence or why it appears in so many different situations, this guide will help. We will unravel everything from its basic meaning to practical memorization tips, always based on reliable sources and real examples. Suki Nihongo, one of the best online Japanese dictionaries, was one of the references to ensure the accuracy of the information presented here.

Meaning and usage of 度[たび]

度[たび] is a noun that means "time" or "occasion." It is used to indicate repetition or frequency of an action, often accompanied by verbs in the past tense or expressions that mark habituality. For example, in sentences like "every time it rains," the term 度[たび] appears to reinforce this idea of recurrence.

An interesting characteristic of this word is that it is not often used alone. Instead, it appears more in constructions like ～するたびに (~suru tabi ni), which means "every time that...". This structure is quite common in everyday conversations and even in formal texts, demonstrating its utility in different registers of the language.

Origin and writing of the kanji 度

The kanji 度 has an interesting history. Originally, it represented the idea of "measure" or "degree," as in words like 温度 (temperature) or 速度 (speed). However, when read as たび, its meaning specialized to indicate specific occasions. This duality of reading and meaning is common in many Japanese kanjis, but in the case of 度, the distinction is quite marked.

It is worth noting that the pronunciation たび can also appear in other contexts, such as in the word 旅 (travel), but they are completely different terms. Despite the same reading, the kanji and meanings are not related. This is an important detail for those who are learning, as it shows how Japanese can have homophonous words with distinct meanings.

Tips for memorizing and using 度[たび]

One effective way to solidify the use of 度[たび] is to associate it with repetitive situations in daily life. Think of sentences like "every time I wake up early, I feel more productive" and try to express them in Japanese using the structure ～するたびに. This type of contextual practice helps to internalize not only the word but also its most common grammatical construction.

Another valuable tip is to pay attention to this word when it appears in animes, dramas, or Japanese songs. Often, it comes up in dialogues about routines, habits, or recurring events. By identifying it in real contexts, it becomes easier to understand its natural and varied use in the Japanese language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 度数 (dosu) - Degree or frequency measurement.
• 温度 (ondo) - Temperature measurement.
• 角度 (kakudo) - Angle measurement.
• 程度 (teido) - Level or degree.
• 度合い (doai) - Degree or the measure of something; similar to 程度, but more specific.
• 度量 (doryou) - Ability to measure, related to measurements in general.
• 度数分布 (dosu bunpu) - Frequency distribution or degree.
• 度量衡 (doryoukou) - Measurement and weight system.
• 度目 (dome) - Unit or degree marker.
• 度量器 (doryouki) - Measuring instrument.
• 度量衡法 (doryoukouhou) - Law related to the system of measurements and weights.
• 度量衡単位 (doryoukou tan'i) - Units of measurement and weights.
• 度量衡系 (doryoukoukei) - Structured system of measures and weights.
• 度量衡法制 (doryoukouhōsei) - Establishment of laws on measures and weights.
• 度量衡法令 (doryoukou hōrei) - Regulations and decrees concerning measures and weights.
• 度量衡法規 (doryoukouhōki) - Standards related to measures and weights.
• 度量衡法定 (doryoukouhōtei) - Formal legislation on measures and weights.
• 度量衡法律 (doryoukouhouritsu) - Laws related to the system of measures and weights.
• 度量衡法令集 (doryoukouhōreishuu) - Collection of decrees on measures and weights.
• 度量衡法規集 (doryoukouhōkishuu) - Collection of standards on measures and weights.
• 度量衡法定集 (doryoukouhouteishuu) - Collection of legislation on measures and weights.
• 度量衡法律集 (doryoukouhouritsushuu) - Collection of laws on measures and weights.

度

Romaji: tabi
Kana: たび
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: times (three times etc.); degree

Meaning in English: times (three times etc.);degree

Definition: Expresses the frequency or degree of something that occurs.

Example Sentences - (度) tabi

See below some example sentences:

彼の態度はとても冷たいです。

Kare no taido wa totemo tsumetai desu

Your attitude is very cold.

• 彼の (kare no) - from him
• 態度 (taido) - attitude
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• とても (totemo) - "very"
• 冷たい (tsumetai) - cold
• です (desu) - polite way of "to be"

彼女の憎らしい態度にはいつもイライラする。

Kanojo no nikurashii taido ni wa itsumo iraira suru

I always get frustrated with your hated attitude.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 憎らしい (nikurashii) - odious, detestable
• 態度 (taido) - attitude, behavior
• には (ni wa) - particle indicating emphasis
• いつも (itsumo) - always
• イライラする (iraira suru) - get irritated, frustrated

彼女は断定的な態度をとった。

Kanojo wa danteiteki na taido o totta

She adopted a decisive attitude.

She adopted a definitive attitude.

• 彼女 (kanojo) - she
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 断定的 (danteiteki) - determined, decisive
• な (na) - auxiliary particle
• 態度 (taido) - attitude
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• とった (totta) - took

比重は物質の密度を表す重要な指標です。

Bijū wa busshitsu no mitsudo o hyōsu jūyōna shihyōdesu

Specific gravity is an important indicator that represents the density of the substance.

• 比重 (hijū) - relative density
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 物質 (busshitsu) - substance
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 密度 (mitsudo) - density
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 表す (arawasu) - Expressar, representar
• 重要な (jūyōna) - important
• 指標 (shihyō) - indicator
• です (desu) - be (linking verb)

湿度が高いと不快です。

Shitsudo ga takai to fukai desu

It is unpleasant if the humidity is high.

• 湿度 - humidity
• が - subject particle
• 高い - high
• と - Comparison particle
• 不快 - uncomfortable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私は度忘れが多いです。

Watashi wa tabi wasure ga ōi desu

I often forget.

I have a lot of forgetfulness.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 度忘れ (tabi wasure) - (noun that means "frequent forgetting")
• が (ga) - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 多い (ooi) - adjective that means "very"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or formal form of the sentence

角度を測ることが大切です。

Kakudo wo hakaru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to measure the angle.

• 角度 (kakudo) - angle
• を (wo) - object particle
• 測る (hakaru) - measure
• こと (koto) - abstract noun
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 大切 (taisetsu) - important
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

速度が速い車は危険です。

Sokudo ga hayai kuruma wa kiken desu

A car with high speed is dangerous.

A fast speed car is dangerous.

• 速度 - Speed
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 速い - fast
• 車 - car
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 危険 - dangerous
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present