振りに
For the first time in, Haven't done for some time
Structure
Noun + ぶりに
Noun + ぶりの + Noun
Explanation
The grammar point 振り, the voiced form of the noun 振り ('manner'), is used as a suffix. It has two main uses: describing the way something appears, or indicating the amount of time that has passed since something last happened. This lesson will concentrate on its 'lapse of time' function. It can be translated as 'for the first time in (A)' or to express that action (B) has not occurred for a duration of (A).
As ぶり is a suffix (most commonly written in hiragana), it is attached directly to nouns that express a period of time. When ぶりに is used, the following part of the sentence (B) describes the action that took place after the time period (A). Alternatively, ぶり can be followed by the particle の to connect it to and modify a subsequent noun.
- 二年ぶりに映画館で映画を見たけど、やっぱりいいね。I saw a movie at the theater for the first time in two years, and man, it was great.
- 半年ぶりに故郷に帰ります。I'm returning to my hometown for the first time in half a year.
- 十年ぶりの再会ですね。お元気でしたか。It's been ten years since we last met, hasn't it? Have you been well?
- 五年ぶりの大雪で、町が真っ白になった。The town turned completely white from the first heavy snow in five years.
Caution
While grammatically possible, using ぶり with very short periods of time like seconds, minutes, or a few hours can sound awkward. This grammar is typically reserved for longer, more significant time intervals.
- 一時間ぶりにトイレに行った。I went to the bathroom for the first time in an hour. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
ジムに通うのは一か月振りだ。
Going to the gym is something I haven't done in a month.
五年振りに、地元に帰った。
I returned to my hometown for the first time in five years.
一週間振りの休みを楽しんでいる。
I'm enjoying my first day off in a week.
一年振りに家族に会えてほっとしました。
For the first time in a year, I was able to see my family and felt relieved.
一か月振りの雨で、庭の植物も喜んでいるようだ。
For the first time in a month it's raining, and the garden plants seem happy.
そのチームは２０年振りに優勝しました。
That team won the championship for the first time in 20 years.
海外旅行をするのは４年振りですね。
This is your first time traveling abroad in four years, isn't it?
赤ちゃんが三晩振りに朝までぐっすり寝てくれた。
The baby slept soundly until morning for the first time in three nights.
数か月振りに友達と遊びました。
I hung out with my friends for the first time in several months.
ケーキを作ったのは何年振りだろう。
I wonder how many years it's been since I last made a cake.
こんなにワクワクするのは子供の頃振りだ。
I haven't felt this excited since I was a kid.
この車がモデルチェンジするのは三世代振りです。
This is the first time in three generations that this car has had a model change.
しばらく振りに訪れた母校は、すっかり変わっていた。
My old school, which I visited for the first time in a while, had completely changed.