Japanese word

ちょくちょく

Pronunciation

Romajichokuchoku

Meaning

  • adverbnow and then

Example

その店にはちょくちょく行きます。so no mise ni wa cho ku cho ku i ki ma su

I go to that shop now and then.

Illustration for ちょくちょく (now and then)

More examples

忙しくても、家族にはちょくちょく電話をかけています。isoga shi ku te mo ka zoku ni wa cho ku cho ku den wa o ka ke te i ma su

Even when I am busy, I call my family now and then.

Core concept

It describes something that happens again and again in separate instances, without implying a fixed schedule.

Common phrases

  • ちょくちょく行くcho ku cho ku i ku

    go now and then

  • ちょくちょく来るcho ku cho ku ku ru

    come now and then

  • ちょくちょく見るcho ku cho ku mi ru

    check ___ now and then

  • ちょくちょく話すcho ku cho ku hana su

    talk now and then

Similar words

時々tokidoki: It describes an action or event that occurs from time to time.
たびたびtabitabi: It describes an action or event that occurs many times over a period.
たまにtamani: It describes something that happens only occasionally, with relatively long gaps between occurrences.
しょっちゅうshotchū: It describes something that happens very often, with little time between occurrences.

Definition in Japanese

一度きりではなく、時々繰り返して行うさま。ichi do ki ri de wa na ku toki doki ku ri kae shi te okona u sa ma

Word origin

ちょくちょく (chokuchoku) uses reduplication, a common pattern in Japanese mimetic adverbs, to express repeated or intermittent occurrence; its original source is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • ちょくちょく (chokuchoku) is especially natural when describing repeated visits, meetings, or messages in everyday conversation.

Opposites

  • めったにmettanirarelyadverb

Word lists with this word