Usage of ～ごと
The suffix ～ごと attaches to time expressions or units to indicate repetition or occurrence at regular intervals, meaning "every ~" or "each ~." It is commonly used with units of time like 分 (minutes), 時間 (hours), 日 (days), and 年 (years).
Common Collocations
- ～分ごと: every ~ minutes
- ～時間ごと: every ~ hours
- ～日ごと: every ~ days
- ～年ごと: every ~ years
Nuance and Register
This expression is neutral and commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese. It emphasizes the regularity or periodicity of an event or action.
Learner Tips
Do not confuse ～ごと with ～毎 (まい), which also means "every" but is used differently. ～ごと often follows a numeral and a unit, while ～毎 is attached directly to nouns without a numeral. For example, 10分ごと (every 10 minutes) vs. 毎日 (every day).
Understanding this distinction will help you use ～ごと correctly in time-related contexts.