相変わらず

• Reading: あいかわらず
• Romaji: aikawarazu
• Kanji breakdown: 相 (ai/sou) — mutual, together; 変 (hen/ka) — change
• Pronunciation: /a.i.ka.wa.ɾa.zɯ/

Meaning

As ever; as usual; same as always. Notes that a situation remains unchanged.

An adverb used to comment that someone or something has not changed from a previous encounter. Can be positive (相変わらず元気だね, you are as lively as ever) or negative (相変わらず遅い, late as usual). Often appears when reuniting with someone after a period of time.

Examples

1. 彼は相変わらず元気だ。 He's as energetic as ever.
2. 相変わらず忙しい日が続いている。 It's been busy as usual lately.
3. このラーメン屋は相変わらず美味しい。 This ramen shop is as delicious as always.

Usage Guide

Context: reunions, observation, conversation

Tone: familiar

Origin & History

Compound of 相 (ai, mutual) and 変わらず (kawarazu, the negative continuative of 変わる, to change). Literally 'mutually not changing' — the state of things remaining the same as before.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal