毎に
Each, Every
Structure
Noun + ごとに
Explanation
ごとに is formed by combining the noun ごと with the particle に. This combination functions as an adverb to indicate that an action occurs 'every (A)' or 'at a regular interval of (A)'. It can follow both nouns and verbs (typically in their dictionary form).
- この本は面白いです。読むごとに、新しい発見があります。This book is interesting. Every time I read it, I discover something new.
- バスは十分ごとに来ます。The bus comes every 10 minutes.
While ごとに can be used with verbs, it is most frequently attached to nouns or noun phrases.
Caution
The noun ごと is the native Japanese reading (訓読み) for the kanji 毎, which translates to 'every'. This is helpful for distinguishing ごとに from the similar expression おきに. While おきに can also mean 'every', it emphasizes the 'interval' or 'gap' between occurrences. Because おきに highlights the space between each event, there are situations where it will carry a different meaning from ごとに.
- ミーティングは一か月ごとにあります。There is a meeting every month. (Every single one)
- ミーティングは一か月おきにあります。There is a meeting every other month. (With 'gaps' of 1 month)
In these examples, ごとに signifies 'every single month', whereas おきに means 'every other month' because of the 'one-month interval' it implies. To keep them straight, you can remember the two patterns this way:
(A) ごとに = For each (A), (B) happens.
(A) おきに = With an interval of (A), (B) happens.
Fun Fact
It is worth noting that many native speakers confuse おきに and ごとに. As a result, you may find that many people (particularly younger speakers) use the two terms as if they mean the same thing.
Examples
月毎に家賃を払う。
I pay my rent every month.
この工場では、製品毎に品質をチェックしている。
At this factory, they check the quality of each product.
祖母の家へ行く毎に、お菓子をくれる。
My grandmother gives me sweets every time I visit her house.
５０分毎に１０分間の休憩を取ってください。
Please take a 10-minute break every 50 minutes.
会社は従業員毎にボーナスを支給した。
The company provided a bonus to each employee.
オリンピックは４年毎に開催されます。
The Olympics are held every four years.
プレゼンテーションをする毎に、緊張してしまう。
I get nervous with every presentation I give.
先生はレポート毎にコメントを書いてくれた。
The teacher wrote comments on each report.
レッスン毎に日本語が上手になっている気がする。
I feel like my Japanese is improving with every lesson.
週末毎に部屋を掃除しています。
I clean my room every weekend.
彼は話す相手毎に意見を変える。
He changes his opinion with every person he talks to.
このバス停では、バスが１５分毎に来ます。
At this bus stop, a bus comes every 15 minutes.