Frequency Adverbs

These adverbs describe how often something happens.

1. Frequency Adverbs in Positive Sentences

You place the frequency adverb before the verb in the sentence.

Common positive frequency adverbs:

• 毎日 (まいにち) = every day
• よく = often
• ときどき = sometimes
• たまに = occasionally

Examples:

• 私はときどき図書館に行きます。(わたしは ときどき としょかん に いきます) — I sometimes go to a library.
• 友達とよく遊びます。(ともだちと よく あそびます) — I often hang out with friends.

Casual examples:

• 毎日ゲームするよ。— I play games every day.
• ラーメン、よく食べる？— Do you eat ramen often?
• 彼、ときどき変なことを言うんだよね。— He sometimes says weird things, you know?

2. Infrequent Adverbs

When using ぜんぜん (not at all) and あまり (not often), you must use a negative verb — usually ending in 〜ません.

Common negative frequency adverbs:

• ぜんぜん = not at all
• あまり = not very much / not often

Examples:

• 私はぜんぜんテレビを見ません。 — I do not watch TV at all.
• たけしさんはあまり勉強しません。 — Takeshi does not study much.

Casual examples:

• ぜんぜん分からない！ — I don’t understand at all!
• お酒、あんまり飲まないんだ。 — I don’t really drink alcohol.
• 最近、あまり寝てないんだよね。 — I haven’t been sleeping much lately, you know.

📝 Notes

• Don’t Forget the Negative!
  Beginners often forget to change the verb to negative when using ぜんぜん or あまり. It’s incorrect to say:
  • ❌ 私はぜんぜんテレビを見ます。
  • ✅ 私はぜんぜんテレビを見ません。