Translation guide
Expresses that something happens continuously, very frequently, or at every possible moment. Japanese uses different words and patterns depending on whether you mean 'constantly', 'always', 'whenever', or 'every time'.
The action or state is ongoing and uninterrupted.
The most common way to say 'all the time' meaning continuously. Works for both past and present.
昨日はずっと雨が降っていた。
It was raining all the time yesterday.
彼はずっとしゃべっている。
He talks all the time.
Means 'always', but can imply 'all the time' when the context is continuous. Slightly more common for habitual actions.
彼はいつも忙しい。
He is busy all the time.
Literally '24 hours a day', emphasizes around-the-clock continuity. Somewhat emphatic.
四六時中スマホを見ている。
I'm looking at my smartphone all the time.
The action happens so often it feels constant.
Colloquial and very common for 'all the time' in the sense of 'constantly, repeatedly'.
彼はしょっちゅう遅刻する。
He's late all the time.
しょっちゅう電話がかかってくる。
I get phone calls all the time.
Again 'always', but works for frequent repetition as well.
Means 'frequently', slightly more formal than しょっちゅう.
彼は頻繁に海外旅行に行く。
He travels abroad all the time.
Also 'frequently', but more literary or formal.
この問題はしばしば発生する。
This problem occurs all the time.
Each occurrence of a situation triggers the same result.
Attach to verb plain form or noun + の. Means 'every time ~'.
会うたびに彼は違う服を着ている。
Every time I see him, he's wearing different clothes.
旅行のたびにお土産を買う。
I buy souvenirs every time I travel.
After dictionary form or た-form, means 'whenever ~, always'. Emphasizes habitual result.
彼は酒を飲むといつも歌い出す。
Whenever he drinks, he starts singing.
Literally 'when ~, always'. More explicit.
暇な時はいつも本を読んでいる。
When I have free time, I'm reading all the time.
Emphasizes duration throughout a specific period.
ずっと emphasizes continuous duration. いつも means 'always' and can be used for habits or states. しょっちゅう is colloquial and means 'constantly, all the time' with a nuance of annoyance or high frequency.
彼はずっと寝ている。
He's sleeping all the time (continuously).
彼はいつも寝ている。
He's always sleeping (whenever I see him).
彼はしょっちゅう寝ている。
He's sleeping all the time (so often it's annoying).
The phrase 'all the time' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Use the appropriate expression based on the intended meaning.
She complains all the time.
We partied all night long.
この店は年中無休です。
This shop is open all the time (year-round).