ごとに

ごとに means every; each; at intervals of ~. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to express that something happens at regular intervals or every time something occurs.

This grammar point often appears in neutral Japanese. If you want to describe recurring or systematically repeated events, ごとに is a useful pattern to learn.

What does ごとに mean?

Use ごとに when you want to express that something happens at regular intervals or every time something occurs.

Natural translations include:

• every time; each; at intervals of ~
• every; each; at intervals of ~
• every time; each; at intervals of

How to form ごとに

Noun + ごとに / Verb dictionary form + ごとに

Examples of the pattern:

• 一時間ごとに
• 会うごとに
• ページごとに

When is ごとに used?

Use ごとに in situations like:

• describing routines
• scheduled events
• recurring actions

Tone and register:

• neutral
• Common in describing routines, test questions, and written narratives

ごとに example sentences

• 一時間ごとに薬を飲む。 — I take medicine every hour.
• 会うごとに、彼は元気そうだ。 — Every time we meet, he seems well.
• ページごとにメモを取る。 — I take notes on every page.
• 駅ごとに電車が止まる。 — The train stops at every station.
• 雨が降るごとに庭が美しくなる。 — Every time it rains, the garden becomes more beautiful.

Nuance of ごとに

The key nuance is emphasizes regularity and repetition; stronger than just listing times.

This matters because 〜ごとに creates a rhythm. It is used when you want to stress that something happens systematically, not just occasionally..

For example:

• In describing routines, it sounds natural and specific.
• Compared with たびに, it carries a different weight and implication.

ごとに vs たびに

Both ごとに and たびに can express every, but they are different.

ごとに:

• means every time; emphasizes systematic or regular repetition

たびに:

• means every time; emphasizes emotional or notable repetition

Quick contrast examples:

• 旅行のたびに写真を撮る。 — Every time I travel, I take photos (emotional).
• 平日ごとにジムに行く。 — Every weekday, I go to the gym (systematic).

Common mistakes with ごとに

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using it for one-time events (must be recurring)
• Confusing it with 毎 (まい), which is simpler and less emphatic
• Forgetting that time nouns like 一時間 become 一時間ごとに, not 毎一時間

Is ごとに on the JLPT?

Yes. ごとに is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for ごとに

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Say you check your email every hour.
• Describe a train that stops at every station.
• Say you learn something new every time you meet someone.

Learning path for ごとに

To learn ごとに efficiently, review the formation first, then compare it with the closest existing grammar points before writing your own sentences.

1. First, make sure you can form ごとに without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with たびに. Choosing between systematic and emotional repetition helps you understand the nuance.
3. Then, contrast ごとに with ずつ and 一度に to clarify intervals versus fixed amounts or simultaneous action.
4. Finally, write sentences where ごとに is necessary; then check whether replacing it with たびに changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• たびに — because it is the closest comparison for “every time” with an emotional or notable nuance.
• ずつ — because it also describes distribution and fixed amounts per interval.
• 一度に（いちどに） — because it contrasts with intervals by describing simultaneous action.
• 中（ちゅう / じゅう） — because it also describes scope and duration across a range.

Learn ごとに with Hane

If you want to review ごとに together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N3 grammar lessons