Meaning & Usage
「以来」(いらい) is a Japanese grammar point that means "since" or "ever since" a particular point in time or event. It emphasizes that something has been continuous, ongoing, or unchanging from that specific past moment up to the present.
Unlike merely stating a sequence of events, 以来 carries a strong nuance of continuity. It implies that a situation established at that past point has persisted or developed consistently. This grammar point highlights the duration and lasting effect of the initial event.
In English, we use "since" in various ways, but 以来 most closely aligns with "ever since [event/time], [situation has been X]". For example, "Ever since she moved to Tokyo, she's been very busy." Here, moving to Tokyo is the starting point, and being busy is the continuous state. 以来 serves this exact purpose in Japanese; it describes what has been happening continuously from an event, not just what happened after it.
This grammar point is generally used in more formal contexts. You'll frequently encounter it in written Japanese, such as essays, reports, and official announcements, but also in more thoughtful or reflective spoken conversations.
以来 conveys a more significant sense of duration compared to simpler expressions like 「～てから」 (te kara), which merely states "after doing X." While 「～てから」 can also mean "since" in some contexts, it doesn't carry the same strong implication of an uninterrupted state or significant, lasting impact that 以来 does. Instead, 以来 often suggests a stable or unchanging situation, or a continuous development following a significant turning point.
Imagine a timeline: You mark a specific event or date in the past. 以来 then tells you that everything from that mark onwards has been characterized by a particular state, action, or lack thereof. It's about a continuous stretch of time influenced by that starting point. For instance, 「彼に会って以来、人生が変わった」 (Ever since I met him, my life changed) implies a significant, ongoing transformation that began at that meeting and continues to affect their life.
Structure & Formation
以来 typically connects to nouns representing a point in time or a significant event, or to the plain past form of verbs (V-た形). It is not commonly used directly with adjectives.
The common patterns are:
| Pattern | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun + 以来 | Connects directly to a noun indicating a specific time, event, or period. This is a very common and straightforward usage. | 昨年以来 (since last year), 結婚以来 (ever since marriage), 入社以来 (ever since joining the company) |
| Verb Plain Past (V-た形) + 以来 | Connects to the plain past (ta-form) of a verb, indicating that something has continued or remained the same ever since that action occurred. This is also very common. | 日本に来て以来 (ever since coming to Japan), 彼と会って以来 (ever since meeting him), 病気になって以来 (ever since getting sick) |
| Verb Plain Non-Past (V-る形) + 以来 | This usage is extremely rare and often considered incorrect in typical contexts where 以来 implies a past starting point. While theoretically possible in very specific, often formal, and less common contexts to mean "from the next time X happens" or for recurring events, N3 learners should focus almost exclusively on past event usage (Noun + 以来 or V-た形 + 以来). In such rare cases, alternatives like 「以降」 are generally preferred. | (Avoid for N3) 次回開催する以来 (from the next time it's held) - better to use 「次回開催以降」. |
Adjectives (i-adjectives and na-adjectives) do not directly connect to 以来. To express a state that began at a certain point, you would typically use a verb phrase with 「～になる」 (ni naru). For example, 「元気になって以来」 (ever since becoming well).
Example Sentences
Noun + 以来
昨年以来、彼とは連絡を取っていません。
Sakunen irai, kare to wa renraku wo totte imasen.
I haven't contacted him since last year.
大学卒業以来、ずっとこの会社で働いています。
Daigaku sotsugyō irai, zutto kono kaisha de hataraite imasu.
I've been working at this company ever since graduating from university.
創立100周年以来、学校は大きく発展しました。
Sōritsu hyakushūnen irai, gakkō wa ōkiku hatten shimashita.
Ever since its 100th anniversary, the school has developed significantly.
東日本大震災以来、防災への意識が高まりました。
Higashinihon Daishinsai irai, bōsai e no ishiki ga takamarimashita.
Ever since the Great East Japan Earthquake, disaster prevention awareness has increased.
Verb (た-form) + 以来
日本に来て以来、毎日日本語を勉強しています。
Nihon ni kite irai, mainichi Nihongo wo benkyō shiteimasu.
Ever since coming to Japan, I've been studying Japanese every day.
事故を経験して以来、車の運転が怖くなりました。
Jiko wo keiken shite irai, kuruma no unten ga kowaku narimashita.
Ever since experiencing the accident, I've become afraid of driving.
彼と喧嘩して以来、一度も話していません。
Kare to kenka shite irai, ichido mo hanashite imasen.
Ever since arguing with him, I haven't spoken to him even once.
新しい上司が着任して以来、会社の雰囲気が明るくなりました。
Atarashii jōshi ga chakunin shite irai, kaisha no fun'iki ga akaruku narimashita.
Ever since the new boss took office, the company's atmosphere has brightened.
初めて富士山に登って以来、登山が趣味になりました。
Hajimete Fujisan ni nobotte irai, tozan ga shumi ni narimashita.
Ever since climbing Mt. Fuji for the first time, mountain climbing has become my hobby.
スマートフォンを買って以来、生活がとても便利になりました。
Sumātofon wo katte irai, seikatsu ga totemo benri ni narimashita.
Ever since buying a smartphone, my life has become very convenient.
彼女と出会って以来、毎日が楽しいです。
Kanojo to deatte irai, mainichi ga tanoshii desu.
Every day has been enjoyable ever since I met her.
昔の恋人と別れて以来、誰とも付き合っていません。
Mukashi no koibito to wakarete irai, dare to mo tsukiatte imasen.
Ever since breaking up with my ex-partner, I haven't dated anyone.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using 以来 with present or future events
❌ 明日以来、新しいプロジェクトが始まります。
✅ 明日から、新しいプロジェクトが始まります。
Explanation: 以来 specifically refers to a starting point in the past from which something has continued. For future starting points or just indicating a general starting point, 「から」 (kara) or 「以降」 (ikō) are more appropriate. 以来 always looks back from the present to a past event.
Mistake 2: Using 以来 without a sense of continuity or lasting effect
❌ 朝食を食べて以来、歯を磨きました。
✅ 朝食を食べてから、歯を磨きました。
Explanation: While "after eating breakfast, I brushed my teeth" describes a sequence, 以来 implies a more significant, lasting state or action. Brushing teeth is a one-time event that happens after breakfast, not continuously since breakfast. For simple sequences, 「～てから」 is the correct choice.
Mistake 3: Attaching 以来 to adjectives
❌ 忙しい以来、休みがありません。
✅ 忙しくなって以来、休みがありません。
Explanation: 以来 does not directly connect to adjectives. To express a state from a certain point, you need to turn the adjective into a verb phrase using 「～になる」 (ni naru). For example, 忙しい (i-adjective) becomes 忙しくなって, and 元気な (na-adjective) becomes 元気になって.
Mistake 4: Confusing 以来 with 「以来のこと」
❌ 田中さんは来週以来のこと出席します。
✅ 田中さんは来週以降出席します。
Explanation: 「以来のこと」 (irai no koto) is not a standard grammar pattern. If you want to say "from next week onwards," you should use 「以降」 (ikō) or simply 「～から」 (kara). 以来 itself is the grammatical connective.
Cultural Notes
In Japanese communication, the concept of continuity and the lasting impact of events is often subtly valued. 以来, while a formal expression, aligns with this cultural perspective on how significant past events shape subsequent developments.
You'll frequently find 以来 in business contexts, historical discussions, and personal narratives where a major event has led to a sustained change. For instance, a company might describe its growth using 「創業以来」 (ever since its founding), or an individual might refer to a life-changing experience with 「あの日以来」 (ever since that day). Its use lends a sense of gravity and historical perspective to the statement.
While 以来 can be used in spoken Japanese, particularly in more reflective or formal conversations, it is far more common in written Japanese. In casual spoken language, simpler expressions like 「～てからずっと」 (te kara zutto, "ever since doing X, continuously") or simply reiterating the state with time markers are often preferred. Nevertheless, understanding 以来 is crucial for comprehending a wide range of written materials and formal speech.
Related Grammar Points
- Wakeda: That's Why, No Wonder, It Means That (Grammar N3)
- Uchi ni: While / Before It Changes (Grammar N3)
- Nuki de (ぬきで) — Without, Leaving Out (Grammar N3)
- It's Been Decided/Scheduled: ことになっている (Grammar N3)
- Not Necessarily (Grammar N3)
- Tsui de ni: While At It, Taking The Opportunity (Grammar N3)
JLPT Tips
For the JLPT N3, mastering 以来 involves understanding its core meaning of "since" or "ever since" and recognizing its use in establishing a continuous state or lasting effect following a past event. Pay close attention to the particles and verb forms that precede 以来; it's almost exclusively Noun + 以来 or Verb (た-form) + 以来.
When you encounter 以来 in reading passages, try to identify the specific past event or time it refers to. Then, understand what has been continuously happening or what state has persisted from that point until the present. This will help you grasp the full meaning of the sentence.
In listening comprehension, 以来 might be used in more formal conversations or news reports. Listen for the context to differentiate it from simpler expressions like 「～てから」. The key is the implication of long-term continuity and significance.
Be particularly mindful of the common mistakes mentioned earlier. Avoid using 以来 with future events or simple sequential actions that don't imply continuity. The JLPT often tests these nuances. Remember, 以来 points backward in time to a definitive start of a continuous situation.