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at intervals of / every other
Definition
The grammar pattern "Number + Counter + おきに" is used to indicate that something happens at regular intervals of time or distance. For example, "1日おき" means 'every other day' (one day gap), and "5メートルおき" means 'every 5 meters'. This pattern is often used to describe the frequency or spacing of events or objects.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Counter form | Number + Counter + おきに | 1日おき |
| Counter form | Number + Counter + おきに | 5メートルおき |
| Counter form | Number + Counter + おきに | 3時間おき |
Examples
このバスは15分おきに運行されています。
Kono basu wa jūgo-fun oki ni un'gyō sarete imasu.
This bus runs every 15 minutes.
このバスは 15 分おき に 運行されています。 (This bus runs every 15 minutes.)
5メートルおきに、道に木が植えられています。
Go-mētoru oki ni, michi ni ki ga ue rarete imasu.
Trees are planted every 5 meters along the road.
5 メートルおき に 道 に 木 が 植えられています。 (Trees are planted every 5 meters along the road.)
彼は1日おきにジムに通って、体を鍛えている。
Kare wa ichinichi oki ni jimu ni tsukatte, karada o kaiten-te iru.
He goes to the gym every other day to exercise.
彼 は 1 日おき に ジム に 通って、体 を鍛えている。 (He goes to the gym every other day to exercise.)
この駅は30分おきに発車します。
Kono eki wa sanjū-fun oki ni hassha shimasu.
This station departs every 30 minutes.
この駅は 30 分おき に 発車します。 (This station departs every 30 minutes.)
5メートルおきに、道に電柱が立てられています。
Go-mētoru oki ni, michi ni denshu ga tate rarete imasu.
Poles are erected every 5 meters along the road.
5 メートルおき に 道 に 電柱 が 立てられています。 (Poles are erected every 5 meters along the road.)
Context
This pattern is used to indicate the frequency or spacing of events or objects. It can be used with any counter that represents a unit of time or distance. The number can be any positive integer. This pattern is often used in formal or written Japanese.
Watch out
Both patterns are used to describe frequency, but they have different nuances. 〜ごとに is more general and can be used with any type of event, while Number + Counter + おきに is more specific and is used to describe regular intervals of time or distance.
For example, 2日おき does not mean every 2 days, but rather every other day.
For example, *1日おき* is correct, but *1日ごとに* is not.
Strategy
Pay attention to the context and make sure to understand the correct interval being described. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with 〜ごとに.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N3 test-style questions. Each sentence shows Number + Counter + おきに used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
このバスは15分おきに運行されています。
Pattern used: おきに
〜おきに is used for regular time intervals like bus schedules.
5メートルおきに、道に木が植えられています。
Pattern used: おきに
While 'goto ni' is possible, 'oki ni' specifically emphasizes the gap/interval between the trees.
彼は1日おきにジムに通って、体を鍛えている。
Pattern used: おきに
1日おき means 'every other day' (Go, Skip, Go, Skip).
Interactive
このバスは15分______運行されています。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.