いつ

いつ
adverb
when
grammatical
1. when
A question word asking about time. Used to inquire when something happens, happened, or will happen.
いつ日本(にほん)に来(き)ましたか？
When did you come to Japan?
会議(かいぎ)はいつですか？
When is the meeting?
いつでも大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)です。
Anytime is fine.
いつでも means 'anytime'
夏休(なつやす)みはいつからいつまでですか？
When does summer vacation start and end?
いつから = from when, いつまで = until when
いつか日本(にほん)に行(い)きたいと思(おも)っていますが、いつ行(い)けるか分(わ)かりません。
I want to go to Japan someday, but I don't know when I'll be able to go.
いつか = someday

いつ is one of the essential question words (5W1H) used to ask about time.

Common patterns

  • いつから: from when, since when
  • いつまで: until when
  • いつ〜ても: whenever

Related words

Usage

Unlike 何時(なんじ) (what time), いつ asks about dates or general timing rather than specific clock time.

Related Words

See also: 何(なに)
See also: 誰(だれ)
See also: どこ
Compare: 何時(なんじ) (what time (clock time))
Related: いつまでも (forever, indefinitely)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:08 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:00
00500/00536_itsu