Time passes quickly, and sometimes, you realize that you haven’t done something in a long time. Whether it’s studying, meeting an old friend, or visiting a favorite place, ぶりに is the perfect way to express “for the first time in [X time]” in Japanese. This phrase helps indicate how long it has been since something last happened and is useful in everyday conversations.
ぶりに
For the First Time in...
JLPT Level: N4
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How to Use It
ぶりに is a suffix used to indicate that something is happening for the first time in a specific period. When used in the middle of a sentence, it is followed by に to connect it to the action. However, when used at the end of a sentence, it takes です instead of に.
This phrase is commonly used to emphasize how long it has been since something last occurred. It can also be used with interrogatives like “how many years” or “how many months” when asking about the time that has passed. Additionally, ぶりに is only used with positive verbs because it implies that the action is happening again after a long time.
Usage Pattern
[Time Duration] + ぶり + に + Action
[Time Duration] + ぶり + です (End of a sentence)
[Interrogative] + ぶり + ですか (Asking a question)
Example 1
二ヶ月ぶりに図書館で勉強しました。
にかげつ ぶりに としょかん で べんきょう しました。
Nikagetsu buri ni toshokan de benkyō shimashita.
I studied at the library for the first time in two months.
Example 2
五年ぶりですね。
ごねん ぶり です ね。
Gonen buri desu ne.
It’s been five years, hasn’t it?
Example 3
何年ぶりですか？
なんねん ぶり です か？
Nannen buri desu ka?
How many years has it been?
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