JLPT N3 Grammar – Difference between “〜ごと” and “〜おき”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “〜ごと” and “〜おき”
2. 〜ごと
3. 〜おき
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “〜ごと” and “〜おき”?
A: Both “〜ごと” and “〜おき” express something that repeats at the same interval. However, there are times when the two can be interchangeably used without changing the meaning and times when they cannot.
The key to understanding the difference lies in the “unit” used.
Let’s take a closer look.
〜ごと (JLPT N3)
[Meanings]
① Once every ~
② Each, respectively
[Rules]
[V] Verb Dictionary form ＋ごと
[N] Numeral ＋ counter＋ごと
[N] Noun ＋ごと
[Examples]
ワールドカップは4年ごとに開催されます。
The World Cup is held every four years.
コンビニが500mごとにあります。
There is a convenience store every 500 meters.
クラスごとに発表しました。
We presented by class.
〜おき (JLPT N3)
[Meanings]
Repeat something after a certain period
[Rules]
[N] Numeral ＋ counter＋おき
[Examples]
この薬は6時間おきに飲んでください。
Please take this medicine every six hours.
30mおきに木が植えられています。
Trees are planted every 30 meters.
駅へ向かうバスは15分おきに出ています。
Buses to the station leave every 15 minutes.
Let’s Compare
[Connection with Verbs]
Only “〜ごと” can be connected with verbs.
[Example]
彼は失敗するごとに成長していっています。
He grows with every failure.
⇒ He keeps repeating the process of failing and growing.
[Unit 1]
For seconds, minutes, hours, and distance, both “〜ごと” and “〜おき” have the same meaning.
[Examples]
この機械は5秒ごとに音が鳴ります。
この機械は5秒おきに音が鳴ります。
This machine makes a sound every 5 seconds.
駅へ向かうバスは15分ごとに出ています。
駅へ向かうバスは15分おきに出ています。
Buses to the station leave every 15 minutes.
赤ちゃんは3時間ごとに起きます。
赤ちゃんは3時間おきに起きます。
The baby wakes up every 3 hours.
30mごとに木が植えられています。
30mおきに木が植えられています。
Trees are planted every 30 meters.
[Unit 2]
Pay attention when using the units of days, weeks, or years as slight differences in meaning can occur.
When used with these words, “〜ごと” means “to do something once and then do it again after a certain period.”
In the case of “〜おき,” it means “to do something again after a specified period has passed.”
Therefore, misstating the number can lead to differences in meaning.
[Examples]
部屋を3日ごとに掃除します。
I clean the room every two days.
部屋を2日おきに掃除します。
I clean the room every two days.
( = After a break of two days, I clean the room.)
⇒ After cleaning once, the speaker waits two days before cleaning again.
2週間ごとに病院に行きます。
I go to the hospital every two weeks.
1週間おきに病院に行きます。
I go to the hospital every other week.
⇒ After going to the hospital once, the speaker waits a week before going again.
オリンピックは4年ごとに開催されます。
The Olympics are held every four years.
オリンピックは3年おきに開催されます。
The Olympics are held every four years.
(= After a 3-year break, The Olympics are held.)
⇒ After the Olympics is held, there is a 3-year gap before the next Olympics takes place.
[Unit 3]
Generally, “〜ごと” is used with cardinal numbers such as “～つ”, “～ページ”, etc.
[Examples]
こどもは何か1つ質問してくるごとに、また質問をしてきます。
Every time a child asks one question, they come up with another.
この本はなぜか2ページごとに、らくがきがあります。
For some reason, there is graffiti every two pages in this book.
Summary
- For seconds, minutes, hours (time), and distance, both “〜ごと” and “〜おき” can be used with the same meaning.
- Be careful with “〜ごと” and “〜おき” for days, weeks, and years as their meanings change.
- Using “〜ごと” means “to do something once, then do it again after a certain period.”
- “〜おき” means “to do something again after a specified period has passed.”
- “〜ごと” is used with cardinal numbers such as “～つ”, “～ページ” etc.
- Only “〜ごと” can be connected with verbs.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A.おき
オリンピックは3年おきに開催されます。
The Olympics are held every four years.
*The Olympics take place once and then there is a three-year gap, so “おき” is correct.
A. ごと
何か起きるごとに妻に呼ばれます。
Every time something happens, my wife calls me.
*It connects with a verb in its dictionary form, so “ごと” is correct.
A. ごと
コーヒー一杯ごとに、ただでまた一杯もらえるそうです。
For every cup of coffee you buy, you get another one for free.
*It connects with a cardinal number, so “ごと” is correct.
A. おき
今日は月曜日で次にごみを捨てられるのは水曜日です。1日おきにごみを捨ててくださいね。
Today is Monday, and the next day you can dispose of the trash is Wednesday. Please throw out the trash every other day.
*Using Monday as a reference, if you skip one day (Tuesday), it will be Wednesday, so “おき” is correct. If it were ”２日ごと”, it would be on Wednesday.
