Japanese word

しょっちゅう

Pronunciation

Romajishotchū

Meaning

  • adverboften

Example

彼はしょっちゅうこの店に来ます。kare wa sho tchū ko no mise ni ki ma su

He often comes to this store.

Illustration for しょっちゅう (often)

More examples

妹とは学校でしょっちゅう話します。imōto to wa gak kō de sho tchū hana shi ma su

I often talk with my younger sister at school.

Core concept

It presents an action as happening repeatedly and frequently, often as a noticeable habit.

Common phrases

  • しょっちゅう食べるsho tchū ta be ru

    eat often

  • しょっちゅう来るsho tchū ku ru

    come often

  • しょっちゅう忘れるsho tchū wasu re ru

    often forget

Similar words

よくyoku: Describes an action or event that occurs often in everyday situations.
たびたびtabitabi: Describes repeated events that take place on separate occasions.
しばしばshibashiba: Describes an event that occurs often, especially in formal or written language.

Definition in Japanese

物事が何度も繰り返されるさま。頻繁に。mono goto ga nan do mo ku ri kae sa re ru sa ma hin pan ni

Word origin

しょっちゅう (shotchū) is often explained as a colloquial form related to 初中後 (shochūgo, "beginning, middle, and end"), whose three stages suggest something continuing throughout.

Usage tips

  • しょっちゅう (shotchū) can describe repeated events or habits without showing whether the speaker approves or disapproves of them.

Opposites

Word lists with this word