Translation guide
Expresses that something continued throughout an entire period or event. Japanese uses various adverbial phrases and patterns depending on whether the focus is on duration, simultaneity, or contrast.
ずっと待っていた。
I was waiting the whole time.
彼はずっと知っていた。
He knew the whole time.
To say that an action or state continued from the beginning to the end of a specified time.
A versatile adverb meaning 'all along', 'the whole time', or 'continuously'. It can be used for both past and ongoing situations.
彼は会議の間ずっと黙っていた。
He remained silent the whole time during the meeting.
ずっと雨が降っていた。
It rained the whole time.
Pattern: [time period] + 間ずっと. Emphasizes that something continued throughout that entire period.
旅行の間ずっと天気が良かった。
The weather was good the whole time during the trip.
映画の間ずっと泣いていた。
I was crying the whole time during the movie.
A more formal or literary adverb meaning 'from beginning to end' or 'throughout'. Often used in written language.
彼は終始無言だった。
He remained silent the whole time.
Literally 'from the beginning to the end'. Emphasizes the entire duration without interruption.
最初から最後まで楽しかった。
It was fun the whole time.
To reveal that something was true during a past period, often with surprise or contrast.
Used to mean 'all along' when revealing a previously unknown fact. Often paired with past tense.
彼はずっとそのことを知っていたんだ。
He knew about it the whole time.
ずっと君のことが好きだった。
I've liked you the whole time.
Pattern: [verb in ている form] + 間ずっと. Emphasizes that while one action was ongoing, another state or action continued.
私が話している間ずっと、彼は寝ていた。
He was sleeping the whole time I was talking.
To express that two actions occurred concurrently for the entire duration.
Pattern: [verb stem] + ながらずっと. Indicates doing something continuously while doing another action.
音楽を聴きながらずっと勉強していた。
I was studying the whole time while listening to music.
Pattern: [A] ている間、ずっと [B] ていた. Emphasizes B continued throughout the entire period of A.
彼女が料理をしている間、ずっとテレビを見ていた。
I was watching TV the whole time she was cooking.
To highlight that something was true the whole time until a certain point, implying a contrast.
Pattern: [time/event] + までずっと. Means 'the whole time until...', often followed by a contrasting statement.
昨日までずっと晴れていたのに、今日は雨だ。
It was sunny the whole time until yesterday, but today it's raining.
The English phrase 'the whole time' cannot be directly translated word-for-word into Japanese. Phrases like '全体の時間' are unnatural. Use adverbial expressions like ずっと or patterns with 間.
全体の時間
Literal translation (incorrect)
彼女はずっと話していた。
She talked the whole time.
ずっと緊張していた。
I was nervous the whole time.