いつでも

い

つ

で

も

Common wordJLPTN3

Meanings

1

always; all the time

usually written using kana alone

Indicates a constant state or habitual action, similar to 'always' or 'at all times'.

彼かれはいつでも親しん切せつだ。
He is always kind.
この店みせはいつでも混こんでいる。
This shop is always crowded.

2

anytime; whenever

usually written using kana alone

Used for offering or stating that something is possible at any time, or whenever one likes.

いつでも好すきなときに来きてください。
Please come whenever you like.
質しつ問もんがあればいつでも聞きいてください。
If you have questions, please ask anytime.

Usage patterns

いつでも〈動どう詞し〉てくださいplease feel free to do ~ anytime
いつでも遊あそびに来きてください。
Please come visit anytime.
いつでも〈動どう詞し〉ことができるto be able to do ~ at any time
図と書しょ館かんの本ほんはいつでも借かりることができる。
You can borrow books from the library at any time.
いつでもいいany time is fine
会かい議ぎの時じ間かんはいつでもいいですよ。
Any time is fine for the meeting.
いつでも〈動どう詞し〉ようにso that ~ can be done at any time
いつでも連れん絡らくが取とれるように携けい帯たいを持もっている。
I carry my phone so that I can be reached at any time.

Kanji

何what
時time, hour

Related words

いつもN5sense 1
いつも usually describes a habitual, every-time pattern, while いつでも stresses that something is possible or true at any point in time.
常つねにN3sense 1
常に is a formal/literary word for 'always' used in writing or formal speech, whereas いつでも is neutral and conversational.
常じょう時じ sense 1
常時 is a stiff, technical word for 'at all times' (e.g. in manuals or notices), while いつでも is the everyday spoken equivalent.
絶たえずN2sense 1
絶えず emphasizes an action happening continuously without pause, while いつでも emphasizes availability at any chosen moment.

Don't confuse with

五いつ日かN5
いつか means 'someday' (an unspecified future time), while いつでも means 'anytime' (available at every time); the two are often confused because of their similar sound.

Written forms

何時でも
- いつでも
  Kanji form; rarely used in practice. The reading なんどきでも is also possible but archaic.
- なんどきでも
なんどきでも

Etymology

Compound of いつ (when) + でも (even, also). The combination yields the meaning 'at any time' or 'always'.