〜たびに

Every Time

Level 3Sounds Like tabini

〜たびに means 'every time' or 'whenever.' It connects a recurring trigger (Event A) to a consistent result (Event B). It is often used to express emotional reactions or noticeable patterns.

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
〜たびに is used when you want to highlight that a specific action or event always triggers the same result. It translates to 'every time,' 'each time,' or 'whenever.' In writing, the kanji 度（たび） is sometimes used. In formal contexts, the particle に is occasionally omitted (〜たび), while in very casual speech, it may be pronounced as 〜たんびに.

2. Grammatical Structure

  • Verbs: Use the affirmative Dictionary Form + たびに. Past tense or negative forms are not allowed. (e.g., 会う（あう）たびに - Every time we meet).
  • Nouns: Use Noun + の + たびに. The noun must be an event or action noun. (e.g., 旅行（りょこう）のたびに - Every time I travel).

3. Nuance and Restrictions

  • Emotional Undertone: It often carries a sense of admiration, surprise, or even slight frustration (e.g., 'Every time I see her, she looks even more beautiful').
  • No Natural Laws or Automatic Consequences: It is not used for inevitable physical consequences or automatic mechanical results where the conditional 〜と is standard. For example, you wouldn't say 'Every time the sun rises, it gets bright' using this pattern.
  • Result Clause Restrictions: The second part of the sentence cannot express a one-time command, request, suggestion, or the speaker's immediate future will (e.g., 〜てください, 〜ましょう, or 〜つもり). However, habitual volitional actions (e.g., 'I always buy a souvenir every time I go there') are perfectly acceptable.

Examples (4)

  1. この写真を見るたびに、子供のころを思い出す。

    Every time I look at this photo, I remember my childhood.

    Word by Word: This photo (object) see every time, childhood time (object) remember.

    The act of looking at the photo (trigger) consistently brings back memories (result).

  2. 彼は会うたびに、新しいネクタイを締めている。

    Every time I see him, he is wearing a new tie.

    Word by Word: He (topic) meet every time, new tie (object) is wearing.

    This highlights a recurring observation that happens without fail whenever the speaker meets him.

  3. 旅行のたびに、お土産をたくさん買ってしまう。

    Every time I go on a trip, I end up buying a lot of souvenirs.

    Word by Word: Travel of every time, souvenirs (object) many buy (regret/completion).

    Uses the noun form (旅行 + の). It shows a consistent habit that occurs with each trip.

  4. 母は、私が電話するたびに「早く結婚しなさい」と言う。

    Every time I call her, my mother says, 'Hurry up and get married.'

    Word by Word: Mother (topic), I (subject) phone do every time 'early marry (command)' says.

    Demonstrates a repetitive interaction where the trigger (calling) always leads to the same comment.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it for obvious daily habits or natural laws.

    朝起きるたびに、顔を洗います。
    朝起きたら、いつも顔を洗います。

    〜たびに is for events that aren't strictly 'automatic' or natural laws. For daily routines like washing your face after waking up, use 〜たら or 〜ときはいつも.

  • Using a static adjective as the result.

    彼女に会うたびに、うれしいです。
    彼女に会うたびに、うれしい気持ちになります。

    The second clause should ideally show a change or an action. Instead of just saying 'I am happy' (static), it is more natural to say 'I become happy' or 'I get a happy feeling' (change of state).

  • Using a request or command in the second clause.

    この店に来るたびに、コーヒーを飲んでください。
    この店に来るたびに、コーヒーを飲みます。

    The second clause of 〜たびに cannot express a command, request, or suggestion like 〜てください or 〜ましょう. It must describe a recurring fact or habit.

How It Connects

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〜たびにLevel 3Every Time

Learn This First

To understand 〜たびに (every time), you need to know how to modify nouns with verbs and other nouns. Since 'たび' (occasion) acts as a noun, it follows standard noun modification rules: verbs use their dictionary form, and nouns require the particle 'の'.

Learn Next

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Words in This Pattern

たびに