に (frequency: per)
ni (frequency)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
This form is also taught at JLPT N4, where it carries a different sense or register.
Meaning
"~ times per (period)".
Period + に + number of times means "X times per period": 週に二回 "twice a week", 一日に三回 "three times a day", 年に一度 "once a year". The に goes after the period, and the count (回 or 度) comes right before the verb. Ask how often with 何回: 週に何回〜ますか.
Habits and routines: how often you exercise, take medicine, go home, eat out.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Period + に + Number of times (回／度) + verb
Visual diagram
- 週period
- にper
- 二回number of times
- テニスをしますactivity
Natural examples
週に二回テニスをします。
しゅうに にかい テニスを します。
I play tennis twice a week.
週に + 二回.
一日に三回薬を飲んでください。
いちにちに さんかい くすりを のんでください。
Please take the medicine three times a day.
一日に + 三回.
年に一度、国へ帰ります。
ねんに いちど、くにへ かえります。
I go back to my country once a year.
年に + 一度.
月に一回、映画を見に行きます。
つきに いっかい、えいがを みに いきます。
I go to see a film once a month.
月に一回 = once a month.
A：週に何回日本語を勉強しますか。 B：三回ぐらいです。
しゅうに なんかい にほんごを べんきょうしますか。 さんかいぐらいです。
How many times a week do you study Japanese? — About three times.
何回 asks the frequency.
Similar grammar and the difference
三時に = at three; 週に二回 = twice per week. Compare side by side
回 is the counter for occurrences. Compare side by side
二回ぐらい = about twice. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 週二回に
- ✓
- 週に二回
- Why
- に follows the period, not the count.
- ✗
- 二回に週
- ✓
- 週に二回
- Why
- Period first, then count.
- ✗
- 一週間で二回 (as the tested pattern)
- ✓
- 一週間に二回
- Why
- "Per" is に.
Counter 回（かい）: 一回, 二回, 三回, 四回（よんかい）, 六回（ろっかい）, 十回（じゅっかい）. 度（ど）is a slightly more formal alternative. The period may also be one week etc.: 一週間に一回. Question: 週に何回〜ますか.
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- Period + blank + 回 → に.
- Readings of 回: 一回 いっかい, 三回 さんかい, 六回 ろっかい, 十回 じゅっかい, 何回 なんかい.
Frequently asked questions
What does に (frequency: per) mean?
"~ times per (period)". Period + に + number of times means "X times per period": 週に二回 "twice a week", 一日に三回 "three times a day", 年に一度 "once a year". The に goes after the period, and the count (回 or 度) comes right before the verb. Ask how often with 何回: 週に何回〜ますか.
How do you form に (frequency: per)?
Period + に + Number of times (回／度) + verb. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is に (frequency: per) used?
Habits and routines: how often you exercise, take medicine, go home, eat out.
What is the difference between に (frequency: per) and に (specific time)?
三時に = at three; 週に二回 = twice per week.
What is the difference between に (frequency: per) and Counters?
回 is the counter for occurrences.
What is a common mistake with に (frequency: per)?
Wrong: 週二回に Right: 週に二回 に follows the period, not the count.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? 週（ ）二回 テニスを します。