1. Basic structure
| Part of speech | Form | Meaning | Example position |
|---|
| Adverb | ときどき + V／A／Nです | Sometimes, occasionally | ときどき映画を見ます。 |
| Topic | ときどきは + … | Sometimes... (contrastive emphasis) | ときどきは外食します。 |
| Written style | 時々（kanji） | Kanji spelling | 時々雨が降ります。 |
2. Core meaning & detailed analysis
- ときどき expresses a frequency lower than よく, higher than たまに.
- Commonly used with the present tense to talk about habits; can also be used in the past to describe frequency over a period.
- Can be placed at the beginning of the sentence, in the middle (before the verb), or after the subject.
3. Example sentences
- ときどきジョギングをします。
Sometimes I go jogging. - 私はときどきコーヒーを飲みます。
I sometimes drink coffee. - 時々雨が降ります。
Sometimes it rains. - 学生のとき、ときどき図書館へ行きました。
When I was a student, I sometimes went to the library. - 彼はときどきは早く帰ります。
He does sometimes go home early.
4. Usage & nuances
- Put at the beginning of the sentence to set the frequency context: ときどき、～。
- Place after the subject to emphasize the subject's habit: 私はときどき～。
- ときどきは carries the nuance "only occasionally...", creating a contrast with the usual state.
- Works with verbs/adjectives/nouns: ときどき忙しいです／ときどき雨です。
5. Comparison, distinctions, and similar patterns
| Word | Degree of frequency | Usage hint | Example |
|---|
| いつも | 100% (always) | Fixed habit | いつも朝ごはんを食べます。 |
| よく | Often, frequently | Quite frequent | よく映画を見ます。 |
| ときどき／時々 | Sometimes | Happens occasionally | ときどき運動します。 |
| たまに | Very rare | Seldom, hardly ever | たまに外で食べます。 |
6. Additional notes
- Kanji spelling: 時々 (repetition of 時). Hiragana: ときどき. Avoid the misspelling “時時”.
- Used with ことがある to talk about experiences that happen occasionally: ときどき～ことがあります。
- No special particle is needed; it's a standalone adverb.
7. Variations & fixed phrases
- ときどきは（contrastive emphasis）
- ときどき～ことがある（sometimes … happens）
- 時々あります／時々します（brief reply pattern）
8. Common mistakes & JLPT traps
- Adding a wrong particle: ×ときどきを → ✓ときどき（no を needed）.
- Confusing it with に/で: ときどき is a frequency adverb, not a marker of place/time.
- Wrong kanji: ×時時 → ✓時々.
