Translation and Meaning of: 毎 - goto

The Japanese word 毎[ごと] is an essential term for those studying the language, but it also arouses curiosity due to its structure and specific uses. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical applications in everyday Japanese. Furthermore, we will understand how it differs from other similar expressions and why it is so frequent in grammatical constructions. If you want to master this detail of the language, keep reading to discover everything about 毎[ごと].

Meaning and usage of 毎[ごと]

The term 毎[ごと] functions as a suffix that indicates repetition or periodicity, usually translated as "each." It attaches to nouns to express that something occurs at regular intervals, such as in 日ごと (every day) or 年ごと (every year). This construction is common in contexts that describe routines, natural cycles, or recurring events.

Unlike words like 毎に[ごとに], which also suggest frequency, 毎[ごと] carries a broader nuance. While 毎に may focus on specific moments, 毎[ごと] emphasizes the entirety of the interval. For example, 月ごと implies "every month, without exception," while 月毎に could be used to highlight particular occasions within that period.

Origin and structure of kanji

The kanji 毎 (mai) has ancient roots, originally representing the idea of "repetition" or "universality." Its upper component, 毋, suggests prohibition or limit, while the lower part 母 (mother) was incorporated phonetically. This combination created a character that evolved to convey the notion of "all" or "each," especially when used as a suffix.

It is worth noting that 毎[ごと] is not an isolated term. It is part of a family of words that share the same kanji, such as 毎日 (mainichi - every day) and 毎年 (maitoshi - every year). However, its reading as ごと is exclusive to contexts where it appears as a suffix, demonstrating how the Japanese language utilizes the same ideogram in multiple ways.

Tips for memorization and correct usage

An effective way to reinforce 毎[ごと] is to associate it with natural patterns or everyday activities. Think of phenomena that repeat, like the seasons of the year (季節ごと) or daily meals (食事ごと). This connection with familiar cycles helps to internalize its grammatical function intuitively.

Another useful aspect is to note that 毎[ごと] rarely appears alone. It is almost always connected to another noun, forming a unit of meaning. If you encounter this structure in texts or dialogues, remember that it marks a complete repetition, not a partial one. This detail makes a difference in the precise understanding of sentences in Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 日々 (hibi) - days, daily life
• いつも (itsumo) - always, habitual
• いつまでも (itsumade mo) - forever, eternally
• 常に (tsune ni) - constantly, always
• 絶えず (taezu) - without stopping, continuously
• 継続的に (keizokuteki ni) - continuously
• 連日 (renjitsu) - day after day
• 日常的に (nichijouteki ni) - habitually, daily
• 日ごとに (higoto ni) - daily, every day
• 日常 (nichijou) - daily life, daily routine
• 日々の (hibi no) - diary, everyday life
• 日常生活 (nichijou seikatsu) - daily life, everyday life
• 日常茶飯事 (nichijou chahanji) - common things in everyday life
• 日常業務 (nichijou gyoumu) - daily tasks
• 日々の暮らし (hibi no kurashi) - daily life, lived routine
• 日々の生活 (hibi no seikatsu) - daily life, daily routine
• 日々の仕事 (hibi no shigoto) - daily work
• 日々の習慣 (hibi no shuukan) - daily habits
• 日々の出来事 (hibi no dekigoto) - daily events
• 日々の積み重ね (hibi no tsumikasane) - daily accumulation
• 日々の成果 (hibi no seika) - daily results
• 日々の努力 (hibi no doryoku) - daily efforts
• 日々の改善 (hibi no kaizen) - daily improvements
• 日々の挑戦 (hibi no chousen) - daily challenges
• 日々の学び (hibi no manabi) - daily learnings
• 日々の精進 (hibi no shoujin) - constant daily effort
• 日々の鍛錬 (hibi no tanren) - daily training
• 日々の訓練 (hibi no kunren) - daily training

毎

Romaji: goto
Kana: ごと
Type: noun
L: -

Translation / Meaning: each respectively

Meaning in English: each respectively

Definition: The degree and frequency of this.

Example Sentences - (毎) goto

See below some example sentences:

私は毎朝アラームで覚ます。

Watashi wa maiasa arāmu de samasu

I wake up every morning to the alarm.

I wake up every morning to an alarm.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎朝 (maiasa) - adverb meaning "every morning"
• アラーム (araamu) - noun that means "alarm"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or instrument used, in this case, "with an alarm"
• 覚ます (samasu) - verb meaning "to wake up"

私は毎月返済をする必要があります。

Watashi wa maitsuki hensai o suru hitsuyō ga arimasu

I need to make the payment monthly.

I need to pay every month.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎月 (maitsuki) - adverb that means "every month"
• 返済 (hensai) - noun meaning "debt payment"
• を (wo) - direct object particle, in this case, "debt payment"
• する (suru) - verb that means "to do"
• 必要 (hitsuyou) - noun meaning "need"
• が (ga) - particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あります (arimasu) - verb that means "to have/to exist"

私は毎日通り過ぎる公園が大好きです。

Watashi wa mainichi toorisugiru kouen ga daisuki desu

I love the park that I pass every day.

I love the park that passes every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 通り過ぎる (toorisugiru) - verb meaning "to pass by"
• 公園 (kouen) - noun that means "park"
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "park"
• 大好き (daisuki) - adjective meaning "very loved"
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence

私は毎日浴室でシャワーを浴びます。

Watashi wa mainichi yokushitsu de shawaa o abimasu

I take a shower every day in the bathroom.

I take a bath in the bathroom every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 浴室 (yokushitsu) - noun meaning "bathroom"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the place where the action takes place, in this case, "in the bathroom"
• シャワー (shawa-) - noun meaning "shower"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "shower"
• 浴びます (abimasu) - Verb that means "to take a shower"

私は毎月基金にお金を入れています。

Watashi wa maitsuki kikin ni okane wo ireteimasu

I put money on the investment fund every month.

I have money in the background every month.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎月 (maitsuki) - adverb that means "every month"
• 基金 (kikin) - noun that means "bottom" or "investment"
• に (ni) - Particle indicating the target of the action
• お金 (okane) - noun meaning "money"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the action.
• 入れています (ireteimasu) - compound verb meaning "to put" or "to deposit" (in the present continuous)

私は毎晩パジャマを着ます。

Watashi wa maiban pajama wo kimasu

I see pajamas every night.

I use pajamas every night.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎晩 (maiban) - adverb that means "every night"
• パジャマ (pajama) - noun that means "pajamas"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 着ます (kimasu) - verb meaning "to put on"

私は毎日日記を書く。

Watashi wa mainichi nikki o kaku

I write a diary every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 日記 (nikki) - noun meaning "diary"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書く (kaku) - Verb meaning "to write"

私は毎日日記を書きます。

Watashi wa mainichi nikki wo kakimasu

I write a diary every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 日記 (nikki) - noun meaning "diary"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書きます (kakimasu) - Verb meaning "to write"

私は毎日勉強します。

Watashi wa mainichi benkyō shimasu

I study every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 勉強 (benkyou) - noun meaning "study"
• します (shimasu) - verb that means "to do"

私は毎日香水をつけます。

Watashi wa mainichi kōsui o tsukemasu

I use perfume every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that the subject is "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 香水 (kōsui) - noun meaning "perfume"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that the object is "perfume"
• つけます (tsukemasu) - verb meaning "put" or "apply", conjugated in the present affirmative