Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Always" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "always", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
いつも
いつも (itsumo)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
しじゅう
しじゅう (shijū)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "always" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between いつも and しじゅう.
In Japanese, いつも (いつも (itsumo)) is typically associated with "always, usually, habitually" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Adverb of frequency. Indicates something happens all the time or habitually without exception..
On the other hand, しじゅう (しじゅう (shijū)) maps to "always, constantly, from beginning to end, all the time" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Emphasizes that something is continuous or happens throughout a period, or describes a constant habit. Similar to 常に. A literal translation of "always" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "いつも"
私はいつも朝ごはんを食べます。
I always eat breakfast.
Bilingual Context for "しじゅう"
彼はしじゅう笑顔で、周りを明るくする人だ。
He's always smiling, brightening up those around him.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "私は ＿＿＿ 朝ごはんを食べます。" (Meaning: "I always eat breakfast.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "いつも" fits here because it means "always, usually, habitually" in the context of: "I always eat breakfast.". "しじゅう" represents "always, constantly, from beginning to end, all the time".