The Difference Between “１年おき” and “１年ごと”
“Should I use ‘１年おき’ or ‘１年ごと’? Aren’t they the same in meaning?”
“What’s the difference between ‘毎年健康診断を受ける’ and ‘毎年健康診断を１年おきに受ける’? Aren’t both saying that you get a checkup every year?”
“Which is correct: ‘この植物は１年ごとに花を咲かせる’ or ‘この植物は１年おきに花を咲かせる’?”
“１年おき” and “１年ごと” are very similar terms, and choosing the right one can be confusing. These terms are especially tricky for Japanese learners at the beginning stages.
In this article, Eri from JPLT Online Japanese Language School will explain the differences between these terms with clear examples.
Why Are “１年おき” and “１年ごと” Often Confused?
There are a few reasons why learners might mix up “１年おき” and “１年ごと”:
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Similar Meanings: Both terms refer to something happening in relation to a year, making it easy to confuse them.
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Context-Dependent Usage: The appropriate term can depend on the context, making it tricky to choose the right one.
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Different Uses in Spoken and Written Language: Depending on the situation, one term might sound more natural than the other.
Detailed Explanation of the Differences Between “１年おき” and “１年ごと”
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１年おき:
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Indicates an interval. It means “with a one-year gap in between.”
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For example, “私は１年おきに髪を切る” means “I get my hair cut every year with a one-year interval.”
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Conveys the idea of events happening at regular intervals.
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１年ごと:
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Indicates a cycle. It means “repeating every year.”
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For example, “この植物は１年ごとに花を咲かせる” means “This plant flowers every year.”
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Conveys the idea of natural phenomena or regular occurrences.
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Comparison with Examples
|
Word
|
Example
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Nuance
|
|---|---|---|
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１年おき
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私は１年おきに海外旅行に行く。
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Traveling abroad every other year
|
|
１年ごと
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この植物は１年ごとに花を咲かせる。
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The plant flowers every year
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|
１年おき
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彼女は１年おきに髪の色を変える。
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Changing hair color every other year
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１年ごと
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この国では、１年ごとに大統領選挙が行われる。
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Presidential elections are held every year
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Summary
The Difference Between “１年おき” and “１年ごと”
While both “１年おき” and “１年ごと” refer to something happening on a yearly basis, they have slightly different meanings:
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１年おき: Indicates an interval or gap of one year.
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１年ごと: Indicates a recurring cycle every year.
Understanding these differences will help you speak more naturally in Japanese. If you want to make your Japanese learning more enjoyable and efficient, we highly recommend JPLT Online Japanese School. At JPLT, learners from around the world can take one-on-one or group lessons with native teachers. With a variety of courses, including preparation for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and daily conversation practice, you can tailor your learning to your level and goals.
Check out JPLT Online Japanese School for more details: https://jplt-dialogplus.com/
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