ずっと

• Reading: ずっと
• Romaji: zutto
• Pronunciation: /d͡zɯt.to/

Meaning

For a long time; all along; by far. Expresses continuity or a large degree of difference.

A versatile adverb with two core uses: (1) temporal continuity — an action or state persisting over time (ずっと待っていた, I was waiting the whole time), and (2) degree comparison — a much greater extent (ずっと大きい, far bigger). One of the most frequently used adverbs in spoken Japanese.

Examples

1. 子どものころからずっとピアノを弾いている。 I've been playing the piano ever since I was a kid.
2. 東京は大阪よりずっと大きい。 Tokyo is way bigger than Osaka.
3. 昨日からずっと雨が降っている。 It's been raining nonstop since yesterday.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, comparison, narrative

Tone: emphatic

Origin & History

A native Japanese word (和語) of uncertain etymology. Possibly onomatopoeic, suggesting something stretching out in a long continuous line. Written exclusively in hiragana as it has no standard kanji form.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal