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:

この物質の密度は非常に高いです。

Kono busshitsu no mitsudo wa hijō ni takai desu

The density of this substance is very high.

The density of this substance is very high.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 物質 - noun meaning "substance"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• 密度 - noun meaning "density"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very"
• 高い - adjective meaning "tall"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この地域は密集した人口密度を持っています。

Kono chiiki wa misshū shita jinkō mitsudo o motte imasu

This area has a dense population density.

This area has a dense population density.

• この - this
• 地域 - region
• は - is
• 密集した - densely populated
• 人口密度 - population density
• を - of
• 持っています - have

ある人生は一度きりです。

Aru jinsei wa ichido kiri desu

The life we have is unique.

A life is only lived once.

• ある (aru) - means "to exist" or "to have"
• 人生 (jinsei) - means "human life"
• は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 一度 (ichido) - "once"
• きり (kiri) - means "only" or "just"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

この制度は公正であると信じています。

Kono seido wa kōsei de aru to shinjiteimasu

I believe this system is fair.

• この制度 - This policy/system
• は - Topic particle
• 公正 - Justo/imparcial
• である - To be
• と - Quotation particle
• 信じています - I believe

一度に何をするのが好きですか？

Ichido ni nani wo suru no ga suki desu ka?

What do you like at once?

• 一度に - "at once" or "at the same time"
• 何 - "what"
• する - "to do"
• の - Particle indicating possession or relationship
• が - particle that indicates subject
• 好き - "to like"
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense
• か - particle that indicates a question

一生に一度の経験をしたい。

Isshou ni ichido no keiken wo shitai

I want to have a unique experience in life.

I want to experience it once in a lifetime.

• 一生 (isshou) - means "a lifetime"
• に (ni) - a particle that indicates the target or the time at which something occurs
• 一度 (ichido) - "once"
• の (no) - a particle that indicates possession or attribution
• 経験 (keiken) - means "experience"
• を (wo) - a particle that indicates the direct object of the action
• したい (shitai) - means "to want to do"

今年度の予算は増えました。

Konendo no yosan wa fuetamashita

This year's budget has increased.

• 今年度の - This fiscal year
• 予算は - budget
• 増えました - Increased

今度は一緒に行きましょう。

Kondo wa issho ni ikimashou

Let's go together this time.

• 今度 - "this time"
• は - Topic particle
• 一緒に - Together
• 行きましょう - "let's go"

何事も成る程度に。

Nanigoto mo naru teido ni

Everything happens in its own time.

As everything happens.

• 何事も - means "everything" or "anything".
• 成る - means "to become" or "to happen".
• 程度に - means "to a certain extent" or "to a certain degree".

彼は度を超えた行動をとった。

Kare wa do o koeta kōdō o totta

He acted beyond the limits.

He takes action beyond.

• 彼 (kare) - He
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 度 (tabi) - Time
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• 超えた (koeta) - Surpassed
• 行動 (koudou) - action
• を (wo) - Direct object particle
• とった (totta) - took