ずっと (ずっと) — Japanese Vocabulary

ずっと (ずっと / zutto): all along, continuously. N4 level Japanese vocabulary.

japanesevocabularyn4adverb

ずっと — ずっと (zutto)

Part of speech: adverb JLPT level: N4 Reading: ずっと (zutto) Meaning: all along, continuously; by far (when comparing)

Word Breakdown

ずっと is a kana-only word (副詞 - fukushi). It is an onomatopoeic/mimetic word (giseigo/gitaigo) that conveys the feeling of something extending over a long distance or a long period of time without interruption. It is often used to emphasize duration or degree.

All Readings

As this word is written entirely in hiragana, there are no kanji readings to list.

Example Sentences

Japanese Reading Romaji English
ずっと待っていました。 ずっと まっていました。 Zutto matte imashita. I have been waiting for a long time.
ずっと友達だよ。 ずっと ともだちだよ。 Zutto tomodachi da yo. We will be friends forever.
ずっと昔の話です。 ずっと むかしの はなしです。 Zutto mukashi no hanashi desu. It is a story from a long time ago.
ここからずっと先です。 ここから ずっと さきです。 Koko kara zutto saki desu. It is much further ahead from here.
ずっとずっと好きでした。 ずっとずっと すきでした。 Zutto zutto suki deshita. I have liked you for a very long time.
彼は私よりずっと背が高い。 かれは わたしより ずっと せがたかい。 Kare wa watashi yori zutto se ga takai. He is much taller than me.
ずっと座っていたので疲れた。 ずっと すわっていたので つかれた。 Zutto suwatte ita node tsukareta. I am tired because I was sitting the whole time.
ずっと寝ていたい。 ずっと ねていたい。 Zutto nete itai. I want to keep sleeping forever.
Japanese Reading Romaji English
長い間 ながいあいだ Nagai aida For a long time
ずっと前 ずっとまえ Zutto mae Long ago
ずっと後 ずっとあと Zutto ato Much later
ずっと先 ずっとさき Zutto saki Way ahead
ずっと上 ずっとうえ Zutto ue Far above
ずっと下 ずっとした Zutto shita Far below
ずっと良い ずっとよい Zutto yoi Much better
永遠に えいえんに Eien ni Eternally / Forever

Common Mistakes

❌ ずっとを勉強しました。 → ✓ 長い間勉強しました。 — Zutto is an adverb of duration/state, not usually used with specific action verbs like "to study" in a simple past tense sense. Use nagai aida for "for a long time."

❌ ずっと行きます。 → ✓ ずっと歩いて行きます。 — Zutto needs a state or a continuous action. You cannot "go" (a point-in-time movement) zutto. You can "walk continuously" (zutto aruite iku).

In Context — Mini Dialogue

A: お久しぶりです！ (Ohisashiburi desu! — Long time no see!) B: 本当に！ずっと会いたかったです。 (Hontou ni! Zutto aitakatta desu. — Really! I've wanted to see you for so long.) A: 私もです。元気でしたか？ (Watashi mo desu. Genki deshita ka? — Me too. Have you been well?) B: ええ、ずっと仕事が忙しかったです。 (Ee, zutto shigoto ga isogashikatta desu. — Yes, work has been busy the whole time.)

Usage Notes

  1. Duration vs. Comparison: Zutto has two primary functions. The first is temporal/spatial continuity (e.g., "I waited for a long time" or "It is way over there"). The second is as an intensifier for comparisons (e.g., "This is much better than that"). In both cases, it implies a significant gap or a long stretch.

  2. Emphasis: You can repeat the word (zutto zutto) to add emotional emphasis, often used in romantic or nostalgic contexts to express a deep, enduring feeling.

  3. Natural Collocation: It is very commonly paired with verbs in the te-iru form (continuous state), such as zutto matte iru (waiting continuously) or zutto suwatte iru (sitting continuously), as these naturally describe an ongoing state.