Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Every" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "every", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
隔月
かくげつ (kakugetsu)
N2 / 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 隔月 and のきなみ.
In Japanese, 隔月 (かくげつ (kakugetsu)) is typically associated with "every other month, bimonthly" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Indicates something occurs once every two months. Not to be confused with 'twice a month'.
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 "隔月"
この雑誌は隔月で発行されています。
This magazine is published bimonthly (every other month).
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: "この雑誌は ＿＿＿ で発行されています。" (Meaning: "This magazine is published bimonthly (every other month).")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "隔月" fits here because it means "every other month, bimonthly" in the context of: "This magazine is published bimonthly (every other month).". "のきなみ" represents "every house; row of houses; (by extension) universally, without exception, one after another".