ごとに
Every
ごとに means 'every' or 'each time.' It is a suffix that marks a recurring cycle, such as 'every 10 minutes' or 'every time we meet.'
How It Works
The pattern ごとに is a versatile way to describe regular intervals or distribution. It functions as a suffix that attaches to nouns and verbs.
1. Attachment Rules:
- Nouns (Intervals): Attaches directly to nouns, especially time and distance units. Unlike many other noun-modifying patterns, it does not require the particle の. (e.g., 10分ごとに（じゅっぷんごとに） - every 10 minutes).
- Nouns (Distribution): When attached to general nouns, it means 'for each' or 'by [category]'. (e.g., 国ごとに（くにごとに） - by country / for each country).
- Verbs: Attaches to the dictionary form (non-past) of verbs. This often describes something that happens 'every time' an action is performed. (e.g., 会うごとに（あうごとに） - every time [we] meet).
2. Nuance of Change:
When used with verbs, ごとに often suggests a progressive or cumulative change. For example, 'with every book I read, I learn more.'
3. Comparison with 毎（まい）:
While 毎（まい） is a prefix used for specific set words like 毎日（まいにち - every day）, ごとに is a productive suffix that can be used with almost any specific quantity, event, or category, making it much more flexible for describing unique schedules or distributions.
Examples (6)
- バスは十五分ごとに来ます。
The bus comes every fifteen minutes.
Word by Word: Bus (topic) 15 minutes every-at comes.
Here, ごとに follows a time duration (15 minutes) to show the frequency of the bus.
- オリンピックは四年ごとに開催される。
The Olympics are held every four years.
Word by Word: Olympics (topic) 4 years every-at held is.
This shows a recurring interval of years. Note that it attaches directly to the counter 四年（よねん）.
- 会うごとに、彼女はきれいになりますね。
Every time we meet, she becomes more beautiful, doesn't she?
Word by Word: Meet every-at, she (topic) beautiful becomes, right?
When attached to the verb 会う（あう - to meet）, it emphasizes a change that happens progressively with each occurrence.
- この薬は食後三時間ごとに飲んでください。
Please take this medicine every three hours after meals.
Word by Word: This medicine (topic) after-meal 3 hours every-at drink please.
A common usage in instructions or manuals to specify a strict interval.
- 国ごとに文化や習慣が違います。
Cultures and customs differ by country.
Word by Word: Country by culture and customs (subject) differ.
This demonstrates the distributive use of ごとに. When attached to a general noun like 国（くに - country）, it means 'for each' or 'by [category]'.
- 雨が降るごとに、緑が濃くなっていく。
With every rainfall, the greenery grows deeper.
Word by Word: Rain (subject) falls every-at, green (subject) deep becoming goes.
This uses the dictionary form of the verb 降る（ふる - to fall/rain） to show a natural progression.
Common Mistakes
Adding the particle の between a noun and ごとに.
日曜日**の**ごとに、テニスをします。日曜日ごとに、テニスをします。Unlike many other expressions that follow nouns, ごとに attaches directly as a suffix. You do not need to say のごとに.
Confusing ごとに with おきに for large intervals.
二日ごとに (meaning 'every 3rd day')二日おきに (meaning 'every 3rd day')ごとに counts the cycle (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3), while おきに counts the gap between events. If you want to say 'every other day' (skipping one day), use 二日ごとに（ふつかごとに）. If you want to say 'with a two-day gap' (every 3rd day), use 二日おきに（ふつかおきに）.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand ごとに, you need a solid grasp of Japanese nouns and time-related vocabulary, as the pattern is primarily used to describe events occurring at regular intervals or every time a specific noun or action occurs.
- 日/週/月/年Date/period Counters
ごとに is frequently used with time period nouns to express 'every [period]' (e.g., every year, every week).
Level 1 - 回Counter for Times
ごとに is often used with counters to indicate occurrences at specific intervals.
Level 1 - Noun Modification
Understanding how nouns and noun phrases function is essential as ごとに directly follows nouns or dictionary form verbs.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- おきにAt Intervals of
Both describe intervals, but おきに focuses on the gap between events, whereas ごとに focuses on the recurring cycle itself.
Level 2 - 〜たびにEvery Time
Similar to the verb usage of ごとに, but 〜たびに focuses more on the event/occasion and cannot be used with simple time units like '10 minutes'.
Level 3 - ずつEach, Apiece
While ごとに refers to the timing of an occurrence, ずつ refers to the distribution of an amount (e.g., 'two at a time').
Level 1 - ていくGo on Doing/Gradual Change
Often used together with ごとに to describe a change that continues to progress into the future.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice ごとに in Bubblegum
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