いつか
itsuka[it͡sɨka̠]
The English phrase "someday" is translated into Japanese as いつか (itsuka).
いつか is used to refer to an unspecified point in the future, equivalent to saying "sometime" or "someday".
Meaning: sometime, at some time in the future (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a combination of itsu (when) and the indefinite particle ka (a question or uncertainty marker), literally meaning "some when".
Which one should you use?
While いつか refers to an indefinite future time, it is distinct from a phrasing that might be confused with itsu (when) plus a particle. In standard usage, いつか specifically refers to an unspecified point in the future.
How do you pronounce it?
itsuka
Did you know?
- Using いつか can sometimes sound like a polite way of saying 'never' if the speaker is avoiding giving a concrete date for a promise.
- In Japanese, the same pronunciation いつか can also be written with different kanji to mean 'once' or 'some time ago', depending on the context and writing system used.
- In certain contexts, いつか can be used to express a vague threat, implying that a reckoning will come at an unknown time.
Examples in context
- いつか負かしてやる！Someday I'll beat you.This sentence shows how to use いつか to express a future intent to beat someone.Tatoeba #2699192 by tommy_san, translation #1699506 by marcelostockle
- いつか私の夢は叶う。Someday my dream will come true.This sentence illustrates using いつか when talking about a dream coming true.Tatoeba #8617350 by small_snow, translation #5182495 by AlanF_US
- いつかまた会えるさ。We'll see each other again someday.This sentence demonstrates using いつか to express the hope of meeting someone again.Tatoeba #12146739 by small_snow, translation #3564346 by _undertoad
- いつか日本に行きます。I will go to Japan someday.
- 将来的に大きな変化が起こるでしょう。Big changes will happen someday in the future.
- いずれ結婚したいです。I want to get married someday.
- いつかさ一緒に旅行しようよ！Let's go on a trip together someday, okay?
- のんびりやってるうちにいつか成功するさ。Someday, you'll succeed when you take things at an unhurried pace.
- 76 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about traveling together.
- 大翔 Hirotoいつか一緒にイタリアに行こう。Itsuka issho ni itaria ni ikou.Let's go to Italy together someday.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね！ぜひ行きたいです。Ii desu ne! Zehi ikitai desu.That sounds great! I'd love to go.
- 大翔 Hiroto今は忙しいけど、計画を立てよう。Ima wa isogashii kedo, keikaku o tateyou.I'm busy now, but let's make a plan.
- 陽葵 Himari楽しみにしてるね、大翔。Tanoshimi ni shiteru ne, Hiroto.I'll be looking forward to it, Hiroto.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “someday” translations and entries いつか, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
