Frequency Adverbs — How Often
Adverbs that state how often an action happens. They do not conjugate; you simply place them before the verb.
Structure
[Frequency Adverb] + [Verb]
Examples
私はいつも早く起きます。
Watashi wa itsumo hayaku okimasu.
I always wake up early.
いつも (always, ~100%) + 早く (early, adverb form of 早い) + 起きます (wake up)
全然運動しません。
Zenzen undou shimasen.
I don't exercise at all.
全然 (not at all, 0%) + 運動しません (do not exercise). 全然 must pair with a negative verb.
ときどき喫茶店でコーヒーを飲みます。
Tokidoki kissaten de koohii o nomimasu.
I sometimes drink coffee at a coffee shop.
ときどき (sometimes, ~50%) sits before the verb phrase and never conjugates
• Frequency scale: いつも (always) > よく (often) > 時々 (sometimes) > たまに (occasionally) > あまり〜ない (not much) > 全然〜ない (not at all). • The negative lock: あまり and 全然 require a negative verb. If you use them, the final verb MUST be negative (あまり食べません, 全然わかりません).
Commonly confused with
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones Frequency is tested against.
vs あまり〜ない vs 全然〜ない
あまり〜ない means 'not much / not often' (some, but little). 全然〜ない is stronger: 'not at all.' Both force a negative verb.
vs よく (often) vs よく (well)
よく can mean 'often' (frequency) OR 'well' (manner): よく行く = go often; よくできる = can do well. Context decides.
More adverbs
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