Japanese word

相変わらず

Pronunciation

Romajiaikawarazu

Meaning

  • adverbas usual

Example

弟は相変わらず元気です。otōto wa ai ka wa ra zu gen ki de su

My younger brother is energetic as usual.

Illustration for 相変わらず (as usual)

More examples

姉は相変わらず朝が苦手です。ane wa ai ka wa ra zu asa ga niga te de su

My older sister is still not a morning person.

Core concept

Shows that something remains as it was before, whether the unchanged condition is good, bad, or simply familiar.

Common phrases

  • 相変わらず元気ai ka wa ra zu gen ki

    energetic as usual

  • 相変わらず忙しいai ka wa ra zu isoga shi i

    still busy

Similar words

いつも通りitsumotōri: Shows that an action or condition is in its usual state or manner.
いまだにimadani: Shows that a condition continues up to now, often when it was expected to change.
まだmada: Indicates that a state or action continues and has not ended or changed.
今もimamo: Indicates that a state or action continues at the present time.

Definition in Japanese

前と変わらない状態が続いているさま。mae to ka wa ra na i jō tai ga tsuzu i te i ru sa ma

Word origin

相変わらず (aikawarazu) combines 相 (ai, "mutual") with 変わらず (kawarazu, "not changing"); as a fixed phrase, it relates the present to the previous state.

Usage tips

  • 相変わらず (aikawarazu) often appears before an adjective or a verb phrase when a conversation contrasts a current situation with an earlier one.

Other meanings

  • stilladverb
  • as beforeadverb

Word lists with this word