～たびに

• Reading: たびに
• Romaji: tabi ni
• Formation: Verb dictionary form + たびに / Noun + の + たびに
• Kanji breakdown: 度: time, occasion, degree — indicates each instance of an event

Meaning

Expresses that every time a certain action or event occurs, something else consistently happens as a result. Equivalent to 'every time' or 'each time' in English.

This conjunction emphasizes the repetitive nature of a cause-and-effect relationship — whenever event A happens, event B always follows. It is stronger than just using とき because it stresses the regularity and consistency of the connection. たびに can follow the dictionary form of verbs or nouns. It often carries a slightly emotional or reflective nuance, suggesting that the speaker has noticed this pattern repeatedly. Common in both spoken and written Japanese, it is used for both positive and negative recurring outcomes.

Examples

1. 旅行に行くたびに、新しい発見がある。 Every time I go on a trip, there are new discoveries.
2. 祖母に会うたびに、手作りのお菓子をもらう。 Every time I visit my grandmother, she gives me homemade sweets.
3. この曲を聴くたびに、学生時代を思い出す。 Every time I listen to this song, I remember my school days.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: reflective

Do Say

• 彼に会うたびに、元気をもらう。
• 新しい本を読むたびに、視野が広がる気がする。
• 季節が変わるたびに、衣替えをしなければならない。

Don't Say

• 昨日会うたびに、楽しかった。(Using たびに with a specific past event — たびに implies repeated occasions, not a single one) → 昨日会ったとき、楽しかった。
• 一回だけ行くたびに、感動した。(Contradictory — 一回だけ and たびに are incompatible since たびに means 'every time') → 行くたびに、感動した。

Origin & History

From the noun 度 (tabi, time/occasion) plus the particle に. Literally means 'at each occasion,' emphasizing repeated instances.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal