Translation guide
The English word 'constantly' describes an action or state that happens all the time, without stopping, or very frequently. Japanese has several ways to express this, depending on whether you mean 'continuously without pause', 'repeatedly over time', or 'always as a habitual state'. The most common and versatile option is いつも (itsumo).
彼はいつも遅刻している。
He is constantly late.
電話がひっきりなしに鳴る。
The phone rings constantly.
Expressing that something is always the case, as a general truth or habitual action.
The most common and natural way to say 'always' or 'constantly' for habitual actions or states. It can also mean 'usually' depending on context.
彼はいつも遅刻している。
He is constantly late.
私はいつもここで買い物をする。
I constantly shop here.
More formal/literary than いつも. Emphasizes a continuous, unchanging state. Often used in written language or formal speech.
彼は常に冷静だ。
He is constantly calm.
この機械は常に監視が必要だ。
This machine constantly requires monitoring.
Colloquial, meaning 'all the time' or 'constantly' in the sense of very frequently. Often used for complaints or emphasis on frequency.
彼はしょっちゅう電話してくる。
He calls me constantly.
このパソコン、しょっちゅうフリーズするんだ。
This computer freezes constantly.
Expressing that an action or state continues without interruption.
Means 'incessantly' or 'without ceasing'. Used for actions that continue non-stop. Slightly formal/literary.
川の水は絶えず流れている。
The river water flows constantly.
彼は絶えず文句を言っている。
He is constantly complaining.
Means 'continuously' or 'all the time' over a period. Can be used for both past and present continuous states.
Literally 'without rest'. Used for machines or people working non-stop.
工場は休みなく稼働している。
The factory is operating constantly.
Expressing that something happens many times, often in an annoying or noticeable way.
Literally 'many times'. Very common way to say 'constantly' in the sense of repeatedly.
彼は何度も同じ質問をする。
He constantly asks the same question.
何度も言ったでしょ。
I've told you constantly.
Means 'repeatedly'. Slightly more formal than 何度も. Often used as a noun or adverb.
Means 'frequently' or 'incessantly', often with a sense of eagerness or insistence. Used for actions like asking, calling, or urging.
Describing a state that is always in flux, never stable.
Means 'incessantly' or 'without a break'. Often used for continuous change or movement.
状況は絶え間なく変化している。
The situation is constantly changing.
Means 'moment by moment', emphasizing constant, gradual change. Often used in news or formal contexts.
情勢は刻々と変わっている。
The situation is changing constantly.
いつも is the most common and neutral for habitual 'always'. 常に is more formal and emphasizes an unchanging state. ずっと focuses on continuous duration over a period, often used with progressive tense (〜ている).
彼はいつも笑顔だ。
He is always smiling. (habitual)
彼は常に冷静だ。
He is constantly calm. (unchanging trait)
朝からずっと働いている。
I've been working constantly since morning. (continuous duration)
常に can sound stiff or bookish in everyday conversation. Stick to いつも or ずっと for casual settings, unless you want to sound formal or emphatic.
Describes something happening incessantly, often with a nuance of being annoyingly continuous. Common in spoken language.
電話がひっきりなしに鳴る。
The phone rings constantly.
ひっきりなしに客が来る。
Customers come constantly.
It has been raining constantly since yesterday.
彼はずっとしゃべっている。
He is talking constantly.
彼は繰り返し同じ過ちを犯す。
He constantly makes the same mistake.
彼はしきりに私に話しかけてくる。
He constantly tries to talk to me.