いつ — 日本語 to English Context Definition

いつ

itsu

adverb★Beginner

informal

when (interrogative adverb used to ask about time)

いつ来ますか？

When will you come?

いつ生まれましたか？

When were you born?

💡

Often used in questions to inquire about the time of an event or action.

いつかsomedayいつでもwheneverいつの間にbefore one knows it

いつか会いたいphrase

I want to meet someday

いつの間にかphrase

before one knows it

いつ is often used in questions to ask about time, similar to 'when' in English.

Derived from the Old Japanese interrogative pronoun 'itu' with the same meaning.

Can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly used in casual conversation.

✎ Noted on May 2, 2026JA → EN