ずっと

ずっと
adverb
continuously, much more
1. continuously, all the time
Without interruption, for a long period of time. Indicates something happening or continuing throughout.
ずっと待(ま)っていた。
I was waiting all this time.
ずっと元気(げんき)でいてね。
Stay well always.
ずっと友達(ともだち)でいたいです。
I want to be friends forever.
子(こ)どもの時(とき)から、ずっとこの町(まち)に住(す)んでいます。
I've been living in this town ever since I was a child.
ずっと会(あ)いたかったので、今日(きょう)やっと会(あ)えてうれしいです。
I've wanted to see you for so long, so I'm happy we could finally meet today.
2. much more, by far
Used for emphasis in comparisons to indicate a significant degree of difference.
こっちがずっといい。
This one is way better.
昨日(きのう)よりずっと暑(あつ)い。
It's much hotter than yesterday.
この店(みせ)のほうがずっと安(やす)いです。
This shop is much cheaper.
電車(でんしゃ)で行(い)くほうがずっと早(はや)いですよ。
It's much faster to go by train.
前(まえ)の仕事(しごと)より今(いま)の仕事(しごと)のほうがずっと楽(らく)だし、給料(きゅうりょう)も高(たか)いです。
My current job is much easier than my previous one, and the salary is higher too.

ずっと has two distinct meanings depending on context.

MEANING 1 - CONTINUOUSLY:

Indicates something continues without interruption.

  • ずっと待(ま)っていた: I was waiting the whole time
  • ずっと友達(ともだち)でいたい: I want to be friends forever

MEANING 2 - MUCH MORE (in comparisons):

Emphatic intensifier used with より or ほうが.

  • こっちのほうがずっといい: This one is much better
  • 昨日(きのう)よりずっと暑(あつ)い: It's much hotter than yesterday

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ずっと + verb in ている: continuous state
  • ずっと前(まえ)から: since long ago
  • これからもずっと: from now on forever

CONTRAST:

  • ずっと: continuously, much more (emphasis)
  • いつも: always (habitual)
  • まだ: still (ongoing from before)
basic
Added 2026.1.7 21:14 · Revised 2026.2.19 12:16
00500/00912_zutto