～おき
おき
suffix
every (interval), at intervals of
1.
every ~, at intervals of ~
Suffix indicating regular intervals between occurrences.
一日おきに薬を飲む。
To take medicine every other day.
五分おきにバスが来る。
Buses come every five minutes.
三メートルおきに木が植えてある。
Trees are planted every three meters.
～おき indicates regular intervals. The number specifies how much time/space passes between each occurrence.
KEY POINT:
一日おき means "every other day" (with one day gap between). This can be confusing - the number indicates the interval, not the frequency.
EXAMPLES:
- 一日おき: every other day (Mon, Wed, Fri...)
- 二日おき: every third day (with two days between)
- 一時間おき: every two hours
- 五分おき: every six minutes
- 三メートルおき: every three meters (spacing)
CONTRAST WITH ～ごとに:
- ～おき: interval between occurrences
- ～ごとに: each occurrence
- 一日おき = every other day
- 一日ごとに = every day
COMMON MISTAKE:
Learners often confuse 一日おき (every other day) with 毎日 (every day).