いつでも
itsu de mo[it͡sɨ de̞ mo̞]
In Japanese, 'whenever' is expressed as いつでも (itsu de mo).
いつでも is an adverbial expression meaning 'at any time'. It is used to indicate that an action can occur without restriction regarding time. This is distinct from いつか, which means 'sometime' or 'someday'. Note that 毎回 is a different expression meaning 'every time'.
Meaning: at any time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of いつ (itsu), meaning 'when' and でも (demo), which in this context functions as 'even' or 'regardless of', literally meaning 'even at any time'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai dialect, the phrase いつでもええ is used, which carries the same meaning as いつでもいい.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverbial expression, いつでも can be used to modify verbs or adjectives to indicate that the action can occur at any time without restriction.
How do you pronounce it?
itsu de mo
Did you know?
- Although いつでも means 'at any time', using it to tell a superior 'you can come whenever' can accidentally sound too casual or dismissive in a professional Japanese hierarchy.
- The phrase いつでも can be used to describe a constant state of being, such as saying someone is 'always' (whenever) smiling, acting as a synonym for 'always' in specific contexts.
- The particle でも in いつでも is the same word used to mean 'even' in many other contexts, such as when saying 'even a child can do it'.
Examples in context
- いつでも来て下さい。Come and see me whenever you want to.This sentence is useful for inviting someone to visit at any time using いつでも.Tatoeba #228814 by bunbuku, translation #66172 by CK
- 返事はいつでもいいからね。You can answer me whenever you like.This sentence is useful for telling someone they can provide an answer whenever they like using いつでも.Tatoeba #3393828 by tommy_san, translation #4339127 by mervert1
- いつでも好きな時においで。Come whenever you like.This sentence is useful for telling someone to come whenever they like using いつでも.Tatoeba #10050370 by small_snow, translation #66082 by CK
- いつでもお越しください。Please come whenever (it's convenient for you).
- いつでもどうぞお使いください。Please use it whenever you like.
- いつの時でもお力になれれば幸いです。I would be happy to help you at any time.
- やる時間はいつでもいいよ。Whenever is fine to do it.
- いつでも大丈夫だから、返事を早くしないでいいよ。Whenever is okay, so don't worry about replying quickly.
- チャットはいつでもできるから、何か質問があれば言ってね。I can chat anytime, so if you have any questions, let me know.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about meeting up for coffee.
- 大翔 Hiroto今週、いつ空いてる？Konshū, itsu aiteru?When are you free this week?
- 結衣 Yui私はいつでもいいよ。Watashi wa itsudemo ii yo.I'm free whenever.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、金曜日の午後にしよう。Jā, kin-yōbi no gogo ni shiyō.Then, let's make it Friday afternoon.
- 結衣 Yuiわかった。楽しみにしてるね！Wakatta. Tanoshimi ni shiteru ne!Got it. I'm looking forward to it!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry いつでも, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
