いつも

Japanese

Etymology

Compound of Old Japanese elements いつ (itsu, “when”) +‎ も (mo, “even, also”).

Pronunciation

• Kun'yomi
• IPA: [it͡sɯᵝ mo̞]

Alternative forms

• 何時も

Adverb

いつも (romaji itsumo)

1. always, invariably
2. usually
3. (with a negative verb) never

Usage notes

If there is a comparison such as いつもは (itsumo wa), いつも通り (itsumo dōri), or いつもより (itsumo yori), this term means usually instead of always.

This term is sometimes spelled in romaji as two separate words, as itsu mo. However, although this term is composed of the distinct terms itsu and mo, it is idiomatically a single word (compare English whenever). As such, some sources spell this without the space, as itsumo. Other sources keep the particle separate, and spell this as itsu mo.

See also

• 常に (つねに, tsune ni): always
• 大抵 (たいてい, taitei): usually

Noun

いつも (romaji itsumo)

1. the usual, the ordinary

   いつもの昼食を食べた。

   いつものちゅうしょくをたべた。
   Itsumo no chūshoku o tabeta.

   He ate his usual for lunch. / He ate his usual lunch.

   これは例外で、いつもとは違います。

   これはれいがいで、いつもとはちがいます。
   Kore wa reigai de, itsumo to wa chigaimasu.

   This is an exception, and is different from the usual.