Translation and Meaning of: 時々 - tokidoki

If you are learning Japanese, you have certainly come across the word 時々[ときどき]. It is common in everyday dialogues, animes, and even in formal texts. But what exactly does it mean? How and when should you use it correctly? In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and practical uses of this expression, along with tips for memorizing it effectively. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, understanding 時々 is essential for communicating naturally.

Meaning and translation of 時々

時々 is a Japanese adverb that means "sometimes" or "now and then". It is used to describe actions that do not happen at a fixed frequency but are also not rare. For example, if someone says "時々映画を見ます" (tokidoki eiga o mimasu), it means "sometimes I watch movies". The closest translation in Portuguese would indeed be "às vezes", but it can also be interpreted as "occasionally".

An interesting feature of this word is that it does not indicate a specific regularity. Unlike terms like "always" or "never," 時々 leaves room for a certain unpredictability. This makes it very useful in everyday conversations, where we don't always need to be precise about the frequency of our actions.

Origin and writing in kanji

The word 時々 is composed of the repetition of the kanji 時 (toki), which means "time" or "hour." This duplication is common in Japanese to create adverbs that express irregular repetition or frequency. The second kanji receives the dakuten (゛), transforming とき into どき, which is a linguistic phenomenon known as rendaku.

It is worth noting that 時々 can also be written solely in hiragana (ときどき), especially in informal texts or when the writer wants to avoid using kanji. However, the kanji version is more common in written materials and helps reinforce the meaning of the word since the character 時 is directly linked to the idea of time.

How to use 時々 in everyday life

Sometimes is a versatile word that appears in various contexts. It can be used to talk about habits ("時々ジョギングします" – "sometimes I run"), preferences ("時々和食が食べたくなる" – "sometimes I feel like eating Japanese food") or even emotional states ("時々寂しくなる" – "sometimes I feel lonely"). Its flexibility makes it one of the first words that students learn.

An important tip is that 時々 (tokidoki) generally comes before the verb in the sentence, but it can be moved to emphasize it. For example, "時々、彼は遅刻する" (tokidoki, kare wa chikoku suru) and "彼は時々遅刻する" (kare wa tokidoki chikoku suru) have the same meaning ("sometimes he is late"), but the first version puts a bit more emphasis on the frequency.

Tips for memorizing 時々

An effective way to memorize 時々 is to associate it with real situations. Think of something you do occasionally, like traveling or eating a specific dish, and create sentences like "時々旅行します" (tokidoki ryokou shimasu). Repeating these constructions out loud helps to solidify not only the word but also its correct usage.

Another strategy is to observe how 時々 appears in animes, dramas, or Japanese music. Often, the visual or emotional context of the scene makes the meaning more memorable. For example, if a character says "時々失敗するよ" (tokidoki shippai suru yo – "sometimes I mess up"), the naturalness of the dialogue reinforces how the word is used in practice.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 時折 (ときおり) - Occasionally, every once in a while, but with a connotation of being rarer.
• たまに - From time to time, it implies a longer interval between occurrences.
• ときどき - Sometimes, it refers to a regular but not constant frequency.
• まれに - Rarely, used to indicate that something happens infrequently.

時々

Romaji: tokidoki
Kana: ときどき
Type: adverb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: sometimes

Meaning in English: sometimes

Definition: Sometimes (occasionally): at regular intervals and every now and then.

Example Sentences - (時々) tokidoki

See below some example sentences:

私たちは時々弛みが必要です。

Watashitachi wa tokidoki yurumi ga hitsuyōdesu

We need moments of relaxation sometimes.

Sometimes we need laxity.

• 私たち - 私たち
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 時々 - "sometimes" in Japanese
• 弛み - "relaxamento" in Japanese
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• 必要 - "Necessário" in Japanese
• です - The verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a formal or polite statement.