GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜たびに
Indicates that a state or response recurs each time a particular action or event occurs.
Examples
この写真を見るたびに、旅の記憶がよみがえる。
Every time I look at this photograph, memories of the trip come flooding back.
Words used
この歌を聞くたびに、子どものころを思い出す。
Whenever I hear this song, I remember my childhood.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure: Attach
たびにto a dictionary-form verb or a noun plusのto describe a response recurring whenever that event occurs. - Basic usage:
この写真を見るたびに、旅の記憶がよみがえる。means that memories of the trip return each time the photograph is viewed.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Dictionary form even for past occasions
- In
会うたびに笑った, the verb beforeたびにstays in the dictionary form even though the repeated meetings were in the past. The following笑ったlocates the events in the past.
- In
- Each occasion versus fixed intervals
会うたびにuses each meeting as the trigger for repetition.一時間おきにuses a fixed one-hour interval rather than the occurrence of an event.