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JLPT N5Adverbs

Frequency Adverbs— How Often

Adverbs that state how often an action happens. They do not conjugate; you simply place them before the verb.

Grammar path · 練習

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A short lesson: the pattern, its sentence anatomy, a quick quiz and a sentence to build.

Pro lessonUNIT 23 · ADVERBS

Structure · 形

[Frequency Adverb] + [Verb]

Examples · 例文

  • 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

Usage notes · 注意

  • 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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