いつ

Ask when something happens

いつ (itsu) means “when.” Use it to ask about a day, date or time. You can ask when an event is or when someone will do something.

Ask when an event is

いつですか (いつですか) · itsu desu ka

Put the event before はいつですか. 誕生日はいつですか means “When is your birthday?” 次の休みはいつですか asks when the next day off is.

Ask when someone will do something

いつ行きますか (いついきますか) · itsu ikimasu ka

Use いつ with an action, such as 行きます (go). いつ日本へ行きますか asks when someone will go to Japan.

いつも (itsumo) means “always”; it does not ask when. To answer an いつ question, give a time, such as 明日 (あした, tomorrow) or 日曜日 (にちようび, Sunday).