ずっと ①
Continuously, All throughout, Entire time, Ever (since), The whole time, All the way
Structure
Explanation
The Japanese adverb ずっと serves two main functions. The first is to indicate an action or state that continues for a long time without interruption, and the other is to emphasize the degree or extent of something. In this lesson, we will focus on the first usage.
To express this sense of continuity, ずっと is typically placed before the part of the sentence it modifies.
- ずっとテレビを見ないで本を読んでください。Please read a book instead of watching TV all the time.
- ずっと歩いていたから、とても疲れました。I was walking the entire time, so I got very tired.
Furthermore, ずっと can also follow から to mean that a state has been ongoing 'ever since' a particular starting point.
- 先週からずっと頭が痛いです。My head has been hurting non-stop since last week.
- 朝からずっと雨が降っています。It has been raining continuously since this morning.
Fun Fact
The core idea behind ずっと is 'straight' or 'direct,' implying a continuous, unbroken line. Because of this, when ずっと modifies a verb, adjective, or other word, it strongly emphasizes that the action or state is ongoing to a great extent or has been happening for a very long time.
Examples
ずっとこの辞書が欲しかったです。
I have wanted this dictionary for a long time.
昨日からずっと雨が降っていますね。
It has been raining non-stop since yesterday, hasn't it?
彼と喧嘩してから、ずっと話していません。
I haven't spoken to him at all since we had a fight.
大学生になってからずっと一人暮らしをしています。
I've been living by myself ever since I became a university student.
夏休みは、ずっと図書館で勉強していました。
I was studying in the library all throughout the summer vacation.
映画を見ている間、赤ちゃんはずっと寝ていました。
The baby was sleeping the whole time we were watching the movie.
「どうして電話に出なかったの？」
「ごめん、ずっとシャワーを浴びていたんだ。」
'Why didn't you answer my call?'
'Sorry, I was in the shower the whole time.'
卒業してからずっと、この会社で働いています。
I have been working at this company ever since I graduated.
小さい頃からずっとピアノを習っています。
I have been learning the piano ever since I was little.
これからもずっと応援しています。
I will always be cheering for you from now on.
先生：「授業中、ずっと窓の外を見ていたでしょう。」
Teacher: 'You were looking out the window the entire time during class, weren't you?'
「昨日のパーティー、どうだった？」
「頭が痛くて、ずっと隅に座っていただけだよ。」
'How was the party yesterday?'
'I had a headache, so I just sat in the corner the whole time.'