いつ

N5

いつ

itsu

いつ (when)

N5

Show furigana

Display reading hints above kanji

Explanation

いつ means “when.” It is used to ask about time in general. Unlike specific times, いつ does not take に. Key points: • いつ = when (general) • Usually used without に • Often paired with verbs like 行きます, 来ます, 会います • For exact time, use time + に instead Example: “いつ行きますか” means “When will you go?” “いつ会いますか” means “When will we meet?” If you want a specific time, answer with a time expression plus に: “三時に行きます.” Practice by asking simple questions: いつ帰りますか, いつ勉強しますか.

Structure

Pattern
いつ + Verb
いつWhen
Examples: いつ
VerbAction
Examples: 行きます, 来ます, 会います

Examples

Example 1
いつ行きますか。
Itsu ikimasu ka.
When will you go?
Breakdown
いつwhen
行きますgo
question marker
Note: General time
Example 2
いつ会いますか。
Itsu aimasu ka.
When will we meet?
Breakdown
いつwhen
会いますmeet
question marker
Note: Meeting time
Example 3
いつ来ますか。
Itsu kimasu ka.
When will you come?
Breakdown
いつwhen
来ますcome
question marker
Note: Arrival
Example 4
誕生日はいつですか。
Tanjoubi wa itsu desu ka.
When is your birthday?
Breakdown
誕生日birthday
topic marker
いつwhen
ですis
question marker
Note: Date question

Related Grammar