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JLPT N3 · Time & sequence

ごとに (goto ni)

~ごとに — every ~, at each ~

In short · Shows that the same thing repeats at each interval or unit. It follows a noun of time, place or unit, or the dictionary form of a verb.
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Pattern

  • N+ごとに Noun + ごとに
  • V辞書形+ごとに Dictionary form + ごとに

Usage

After a noun it means 'for each one' or at every such interval: 駅ごと, 三日ごと. After a verb it means 'every time you ~' and often describes a change progressing.

Notes

毎~ names the cycle itself, while ~ごとに stresses that something happens at each unit. Be careful with ~おきに, which skips a unit: 一日おきに is every other day.

Examples

  • この電車(でんしゃ)は駅(えき)ごとに止(と)まります。

    Kono densha wa eki goto ni tomarimasu.

    This train stops at every station.

  • 一(いち)ページごとに単語(たんご)の意味(いみ)を確認(かくにん)する。

    Ichi pēji goto ni tango no imi o kakunin suru.

    I check the meaning of the words on each page.

  • 年(とし)を取(と)るごとに、時間(じかん)が早(はや)く過(す)ぎるように感(かん)じる。

    Toshi o toru goto ni, jikan ga hayaku sugiru yō ni kanjiru.

    With each passing year, time seems to go by faster.

Common mistakes

  • 一日おきに means every other day, while 一日ごとに means every day.
  • Use the dictionary form with verbs (取るごとに), not the past form.

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