いつも

いつも
adverb
always
time-general
1. always
At all times; on every occasion.
いつも元気(げんき)です。
I'm always well.
いつもありがとうございます。
Thank you as always.
Common polite phrase
母(はは)はいつも忙(いそが)しいです。
My mother is always busy.
いつも笑顔(えがお)でいてください。
Please always be smiling.
いつも同(おな)じことを言(い)っていますね。もう何度(なんど)も聞(き)きましたよ。
You always say the same thing. I've heard it many times already.
2. usually
In the typical or habitual way.
いつもの電車(でんしゃ)に乗(の)る。
To take the usual train.
いつもの = the usual
いつも朝(あさ)ごはんを食(た)べます。
I usually eat breakfast.
いつも七時(しちじ)に起(お)きます。
I usually wake up at 7 o'clock.
いつもの席(せき)に座(すわ)ります。
I sit in my usual seat.
いつもの = the usual
いつもは電車(でんしゃ)で通(かよ)いますが、今日(きょう)は車(くるま)で来(き)ました。電車(でんしゃ)が止(と)まっていたからです。
I usually commute by train, but today I came by car. The trains were stopped.
いつもは = usually (with contrast)

Common patterns

  • いつも + verb: always/usually do
  • いつもの + noun: the usual (noun)
  • いつもは: usually (with implied contrast)

Common expressions

Similar words

Frequency scale

Usage

いつも can mean both "always" (100%) and "usually" (habitually) - context determines the meaning.

Watch out

いつも with a negative means "never": いつも朝(あさ)ごはんを食(た)べない (I never eat breakfast). For "not always", use いつも〜とは限(かぎ)らない or いつも〜わけではない.

Related Words

Compare: 時々(ときどき) (sometimes)
Synonym: 始終(しじゅう) (constantly (slightly negative nuance))
Related: 毎度(まいど) (each time (also business greeting))
Compare: ずっと (continuously; much more)
Compare: 普段(ふだん) (usually)
Related: 年中(ねんじゅう) (all year)
Compare: 常(つね)に (always, constantly)
Compare: いつでも (anytime, always)
Compare: 日頃(ひごろ) (usually)
Compare: 毎回(まいかい) (every time, each time)
Compare: 絶(た)えず (constantly)
Compare: 常時(じょうじ) (constantly)
Compare: 二言目(ふたことめ)には (every time)
Compare: よく (often)
Compare: たまに (occasionally)
basic
Added 2026.1.8 0:28 · Revised 2026.10.5 10:34
00500/00599_itsumo