こまめに

adverb

diligently; frequently; in small increments

action time-general

1. diligently; frequently; attentively

Doing something regularly and carefully in small, consistent actions rather than all at once.

こまめに水分(すいぶん)を取(と)りましょう。

Make sure to drink water frequently.

こまめに手(て)を洗(あら)うことが大切(たいせつ)だ。

It's important to wash your hands frequently.

使(つか)わない部屋(へや)の電気(でんき)はこまめに消(け)すようにしている。

I make a habit of diligently turning off the lights in rooms I'm not using.

An adverb emphasizing doing something frequently, regularly, and in small careful actions. It implies a positive attitude of conscientiousness and attention to detail. Very commonly used in health advice, household tips, and energy-saving campaigns.

Common collocations

こまめに水分補給(すいぶんほきゅう): frequent hydration
こまめに掃除(そうじ)する: to clean regularly
こまめに連絡(れんらく)する: to stay in touch regularly
こまめにチェックする: to check frequently
こまめに電気(でんき)を消(け)す: to diligently turn off lights

Etymology

Derived from こまめ (小(こ)忠実(まめ)), literally "small diligence." The word 忠実(まめ) means hardworking or diligent, and the 小(こ) prefix adds the nuance of small, repeated actions.

Similar words

頻繁(ひんぱん)に: frequently — more formal and neutral; doesn't carry the positive nuance of diligence
ちょくちょく: often, frequently — more casual and colloquial
丁寧(ていねい)に: carefully, politely — focuses on quality of action rather than frequency

Related Words

Compare: 頻繁(ひんぱん)に (frequently)

Compare: ちょくちょく (often, frequently)

Compare: 丁寧(ていねい) (carefully, politely)

general

Added 2026.4.8 1:41 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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