いつか
itsuka[it͡sɨka̠]
The Japanese word for 'sometime' is いつか (itsuka).
いつか is an adverb used to refer to an indefinite point in time, whether in the past or the future. In social contexts, it is frequently used in polite or vague invitations to express a desire to meet again without committing to a specific date. Note that if you wish to say 'occasionally' or 'sometimes' in the sense of frequency, you should use たまに instead.
Meaning: at an indefinite but stated time in the past or future (adv)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverb, いつか can modify verbs in both the past and future tense to indicate an indefinite time.
How do you pronounce it?
itsuka
Did you know?
- Depending on the intonation and context, いつか can be used as a rhetorical question meaning 'When on earth?' to express disbelief or frustration.
- The word いつか is a linguistic combination of いつ, meaning 'when', and the particle か, which functions as a question marker. Together, they transform a specific question into an indefinite statement of 'some time'.
- The word いつか is a common trope in Japanese song lyrics and anime to evoke a sense of longing, nostalgia or a distant, unreachable dream.
Examples in context
- いつか電話してよ。Call me sometime.This sentence is useful for asking someone to call you at an indefinite time using いつか.Tatoeba #228981 by small_snow, translation #66339 by CK
- いつか会いにきてね。Come and see me sometime.This sentence is useful for inviting someone to come and see you いつか.Tatoeba #9675891 by small_snow, translation #9200809 by Cabo
- いつか近いうちに伺います。I'll visit you sometime in the near future.This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to visit in the near future using いつか.Tatoeba #228992 by bunbuku, translation #1223658 by CK
- もし時間があれば、いつかお茶でもしましょう。If you have time, let's have tea sometime.
- 先週から会えていないけど、いつか会おうね！We haven't met since last week, but let's meet up sometime!
- たまに日本料理を食べたくなる。Sometimes, I feel like eating Japanese cuisine.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about their travel dreams.
- 美咲 Misakiいつかフランスに行ってみたいです。Itsuka Furansu ni itte mitai desu.I want to go to France sometime.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。僕もいつか行きたいです。Ii desu ne. Boku mo itsuka ikitai desu.That sounds nice. I want to go sometime too.
- 美咲 Misaki一緒に行けたらいいですね。Issho ni iketara ii desu ne.It would be great if we could go together.
- 陽太 Yotaそうですね。計画しましょう！Sou desu ne. Keikaku shimashou!You're right. Let's make a plan!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sometime” translations and entries いつか, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries いつか, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
