Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Every" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "every", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
毎週
まいしゅう (maishuu)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
のきなみ
のきなみ (nokinami)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "every" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 毎週 and のきなみ.
In Japanese, 毎週 (まいしゅう (maishuu)) is typically associated with "every week" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Indicates an action or event that occurs weekly. Can be used for regular hobbies, meetings, or classes..
On the other hand, のきなみ (のきなみ (nokinami)) maps to "every house; row of houses; (by extension) universally, without exception, one after another" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Literally 'row of eaves'. Figuratively, it describes a situation where something happens to all items, people, or places in a group without exception, or one after another.. A literal translation of "every" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "毎週"
毎週、テニスをします。
I play tennis every week.
Bilingual Context for "のきなみ"
台風で、駅前の店がのきなみシャッターを下ろしていた。
Due to the typhoon, all the shops in front of the station had their shutters down.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: " ＿＿＿ 、テニスをします。" (Meaning: "I play tennis every week.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "毎週" fits here because it means "every week" in the context of: "I play tennis every week.". "のきなみ" represents "every house; row of houses; (by extension) universally, without exception, one after another".