N3Manner and Method

Time Period + ぶりに

Q: Is "Using it for short, routine breaks" correct?

No. The correct form is "Use other patterns that indicate frequency or regular intervals". This pattern implies a significant time period has passed, so it's not suitable for short, routine breaks.

Q: Is "Forgetting that it implies the action hasn't happened during that whole period" correct?

No. The correct form is "Make sure to emphasize the time that has elapsed since the last occurrence of the event". This pattern implies that the action has not happened during that whole period, so make sure to emphasize the time that has elapsed.

Q: Is "Confusing it with 〜おきに (interval frequency vs. time elapsed since last time)" correct?

No. The correct form is "Pay attention to the context and the time period mentioned". 〜おきに indicates frequency or regular intervals, while ぶりに indicates a significant time period has passed since the last occurrence of an event.

after an interval of / for the first time in...

Definition

Meaning

The grammar pattern "Time Period + ぶりに" is used to indicate that an event is occurring again after a significant period of time has passed. It is often used with time-duration nouns to emphasize the time that has elapsed since the last occurrence of the event. This pattern implies that the action has not happened during that whole period, making it distinct from other patterns that indicate frequency or regular intervals.

Structure

Formation Rules

Form	Pattern	Example
Present or past tense of the verb	Time Period + ぶりに + Verb	3年ぶりに日本に帰ることになりました。
Present or past tense of the verb	Time Period + ぶりに + Verb	昨日、10年ぶりに高校の時の友達に会った。
Present or past tense of the verb	Time Period + ぶりに + Verb	久しぶりに晴れたので、外で洗濯をしました。

Examples

Example Sentences

3年ぶりに日本に帰ることになりました。

3-nen bu ni Nihon ni kaeru koto ni nari mashita.

I will return to Japan for the first time in 3 years.

3年 (3 years) + ぶりに (for the first time in) + 日本に帰ることになりました (I will return to Japan)

昨日、10年ぶりに高校の時の友達に会った。

Kinō, 10-nen bu ni kōkō no jikan no tomodachi ni atta.

Yesterday, I met a friend from high school for the first time in 10 years.

昨日 (yesterday) + 10年ぶりに (for the first time in 10 years) + 高校の時の友達に会った (I met a friend from high school)

久しぶりに晴れたので、外で洗濯をしました。

Hisashiburi ni hareta node, soto de sentaku o shimashita.

It has been a long time since it rained, so I did laundry outside.

久しぶりに (for the first time in a long time) + 晴れた (it rained) + ので (so) + 外で (outside) + 洗濯をしました (I did laundry)

Context

Usage Notes

This pattern is used to indicate a significant time period has passed since the last occurrence of an event. It is often used in formal or written language. Be careful not to confuse it with other patterns that indicate frequency or regular intervals.

Watch out

Common Mistakes

Using it for short, routine breaks

Use other patterns that indicate frequency or regular intervals

This pattern implies a significant time period has passed, so it's not suitable for short, routine breaks.

Forgetting that it implies the action hasn't happened during that whole period

Make sure to emphasize the time that has elapsed since the last occurrence of the event

This pattern implies that the action has not happened during that whole period, so make sure to emphasize the time that has elapsed.

Confusing it with 〜おきに (interval frequency vs. time elapsed since last time)

Pay attention to the context and the time period mentioned

〜おきに indicates frequency or regular intervals, while ぶりに indicates a significant time period has passed since the last occurrence of an event.

Strategy

JLPT Exam Tips

Pay attention to the context and the time period mentioned. Make sure to emphasize the time that has elapsed since the last occurrence of the event. Be careful not to confuse it with other patterns that indicate frequency or regular intervals.

In context