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)

いつも means "always" or "usually" depending on context.

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

いつもありがとうございます: thank you as always
いつもの通(とお)り: as usual
いつもと違(ちが)う: different from usual

Frequency scale

いつも: always, usually (highest frequency)
よく: often
時々(ときどき): sometimes
たまに: occasionally
あまり〜ない: not often
めったに〜ない: rarely
全然(ぜんぜん)〜ない: never

Usage

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

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)

basic

Added 2026.1.8 0:28 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

00500/00599_itsumo