Grammar › Extent & Frequency
たびに — “every time, whenever”
Says something reliably happens each time a triggering event occurs
Dictionary-form verb or noun + の + たびに says a result happens every single time a particular event occurs — “every time X, Y (also happens).” It suggests a dependable, repeated pattern rather than a one-off — close to 〜時はいつも but slightly more formal.
How to form it
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Dictionary form + たびに | 日本に行くたびに、お土産を買います — Every time I go to Japan, I buy souvenirs |
| Noun + の + たびに | 旅行のたびに写真を撮る — I take photos every trip |
Example sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| この曲を聞くたびに、学生時代を思い出す。 | このきょくをきくたびに、がくせいじだいをおもいだす。 konokyokuwokikutabini、gakuseijidaiwoomoidasu。 | Every time I hear this song, I remember my school days. |
| 会うたびに、彼は元気になっているようだ。 | あうたびに、かれはげんきになっているようだ。 autabini、karehagenkininatteiruyouda。 | Every time I see him, he seems more cheerful. |
| 台風のたびに、電車が止まる。 | たいふうのたびに、でんしゃがとまる。 taifuunotabini、denshagatomaru。 | Every typhoon, the trains stop. |
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Watch out
たびに needs the triggering event to recur multiple times over — for a single occasion, plain とき (that time) is what you want instead.