Translation and Meaning of: 毎 - goto
The Japanese word 毎[ごと] is an essential term for those studying the language, but it also arouses curiosity due to its structure and specific uses. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical applications in everyday Japanese. Furthermore, we will understand how it differs from other similar expressions and why it is so frequent in grammatical constructions. If you want to master this detail of the language, keep reading to discover everything about 毎[ごと].
Meaning and usage of 毎[ごと]
The term 毎[ごと] functions as a suffix that indicates repetition or periodicity, usually translated as "each." It attaches to nouns to express that something occurs at regular intervals, such as in 日ごと (every day) or 年ごと (every year). This construction is common in contexts that describe routines, natural cycles, or recurring events.
Unlike words like 毎に[ごとに], which also suggest frequency, 毎[ごと] carries a broader nuance. While 毎に may focus on specific moments, 毎[ごと] emphasizes the entirety of the interval. For example, 月ごと implies "every month, without exception," while 月毎に could be used to highlight particular occasions within that period.
Origin and structure of kanji
The kanji 毎 (mai) has ancient roots, originally representing the idea of "repetition" or "universality." Its upper component, 毋, suggests prohibition or limit, while the lower part 母 (mother) was incorporated phonetically. This combination created a character that evolved to convey the notion of "all" or "each," especially when used as a suffix.
It is worth noting that 毎[ごと] is not an isolated term. It is part of a family of words that share the same kanji, such as 毎日 (mainichi - every day) and 毎年 (maitoshi - every year). However, its reading as ごと is exclusive to contexts where it appears as a suffix, demonstrating how the Japanese language utilizes the same ideogram in multiple ways.
Tips for memorization and correct usage
An effective way to reinforce 毎[ごと] is to associate it with natural patterns or everyday activities. Think of phenomena that repeat, like the seasons of the year (季節ごと) or daily meals (食事ごと). This connection with familiar cycles helps to internalize its grammatical function intuitively.
Another useful aspect is to note that 毎[ごと] rarely appears alone. It is almost always connected to another noun, forming a unit of meaning. If you encounter this structure in texts or dialogues, that it marks a complete repetition, not a partial one. This detail makes a difference in the precise understanding of sentences in Japanese.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 日々 (hibi) - days, daily life
- いつも (itsumo) - always, habitual
- いつまでも (itsumade mo) - forever, eternally
- 常に (tsune ni) - constantly, always
- 絶えず (taezu) - without stopping, continuously
- 継続的に (keizokuteki ni) - continuously
- 連日 (renjitsu) - day after day
- 日常的に (nichijouteki ni) - habitually, daily
- 日ごとに (higoto ni) - daily, every day
- 日常 (nichijou) - daily life, daily routine
- 日々の (hibi no) - diary, everyday life
- 日常生活 (nichijou seikatsu) - daily life, everyday life
- 日常茶飯事 (nichijou chahanji) - common things in everyday life
- 日常業務 (nichijou gyoumu) - daily tasks
- 日々の暮らし (hibi no kurashi) - daily life, lived routine
- 日々の生活 (hibi no seikatsu) - daily life, daily routine
- 日々の仕事 (hibi no shigoto) - daily work
- 日々の習慣 (hibi no shuukan) - daily habits
- 日々の出来事 (hibi no dekigoto) - daily events
- 日々の積み重ね (hibi no tsumikasane) - daily accumulation
- 日々の成果 (hibi no seika) - daily results
- 日々の努力 (hibi no doryoku) - daily efforts
- 日々の改善 (hibi no kaizen) - daily improvements
- 日々の挑戦 (hibi no chousen) - daily challenges
- 日々の学び (hibi no manabi) - daily learnings
- 日々の精進 (hibi no shoujin) - constant daily effort
- 日々の鍛錬 (hibi no tanren) - daily training
- 日々の訓練 (hibi no kunren) - daily training
Romaji: goto
Kana: ごと
Type: noun
L: -
Translation / Meaning: each respectively
Meaning in English: each respectively
Definition: The degree and frequency of this.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (毎) goto
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (毎) goto:
Example Sentences - (毎) goto
See below some example sentences:
Sararīman wa mainichi isogashii desu
Office workers are busy every day.
The salaries are occupied every day.
- サラリーマン - wage worker
- は - Topic particle
- 毎日 - every day
- 忙しい - busy, busy
- です - is
Teikyūbi wa maishū kayōbi desu
The regular holiday is every Tuesday.
- 定休日 - fixed day off
- は - Topic particle
- 毎週 - Every week
- 火曜日 - Tuesday
- です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)
Kare wa jibun no nouryoku o tsuyomeru tame ni mainichi renshuu shite iru
He practices every day to strengthen his skills.
- 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
- は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "he".
- 自分 - Japanese pronoun meaning "oneself"
- の - Japanese particle indicating possession, in this case "your"
- 能力 - Japanese noun meaning "skill" or "ability"
- を - Japanese particle indicating the direct object of the sentence, in this case "skill"
- 強める - Japanese verb meaning "to strengthen" or "to increase"
- ために - Japanese expression meaning "for" or "with the aim of"
- 毎日 - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
- 練習 - Japanese noun meaning "training" or "practice"
- している - continuous form of the Japanese verb "する", which means "to do"
Kanojo ni dekuwasu no wa mainichi no koto da
Meeting her is something that happens every day.
It's to find her every day.
- 彼女 (kanojo) - means "girlfriend" or "her"
- に (ni) - particle that indicates the target or recipient of the action
- 出くわす (dekawasu) - verb that means "to find" or "to encounter"
- のは (no wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 毎日 (mainichi) - The adverb that means "every day" or "daily"
- のこと (no koto) - expression that means "thing of"
- だ (da) - verb that indicates existence or affirmation
Mainichi benkyō shimasu
I study every day.
- 毎日 - every day
- 勉強 - study
- します - make
Watashi wa maishuu zemi ni sanka shiteimasu
I participate in the seminar every week.
I participate in the seminar every week.
- 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 毎週 (maishuu) - Japanese adverb meaning "every week"
- ゼミ (zemi) - Japanese noun meaning "seminar"
- に (ni) - particle indicating a directing action or destination
- 参加しています (sanka shiteimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to participate" and conjugated in the present continuous tense
Watashi wa maiasa hayaku okosu koto ga dekimasu
I can wake up early every morning.
I can wake up early every morning.
- 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 毎朝 (maiasa) - adverb meaning "every morning"
- 早く (hayaku) - adverb meaning "early"
- 起こす (okosu) - verb meaning "to wake up"
- こと (koto) - noun that indicates an action or event
- が (ga) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
- できます (dekimasu) - Verb that means "to be able to"
Watashi wa mainichi ryōri o tsukuru
I cook every day.
- 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 毎日 (mainichi) - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
- 料理 (ryouri) - The Japanese noun that means "cuisine" or "cooking" is "料理" (りょうり, ryōri).
- を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
- 作る (tsukuru) - Japanese verb that means "to do" or "to prepare"
Watashi wa mainichi intaanetto de nyuusu o etsuran shimasu
I read news on the internet every day.
I surf the news on the internet every day.
- 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 毎日 (mainichi) - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
- インターネット (intānetto) - word in Japanese that means "internet"
- で (de) - particle that indicates the means or location where something happens
- ニュース (nyūsu) - Japanese word meaning "news"
- を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
- 閲覧します (etsuran shimasu) - japanese verb that means "to read" or "to see"
Watashi wa maitsuki chokin o shiteimasu
I save money every month.
I save every month.
- 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 毎月 (maitsuki) - Japanese adverb meaning "every month"
- 貯金 (chokin) - 日本語の名詞で「貯金」を意味します。
- を (wo) - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
- しています (shiteimasu) - Japanese verb that means "I am doing" (polite form)
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
