いつも遊ぶ

You usually pair this with the particle と (to) to mean 'with.' For example, 田中さんといつも遊ぶ means 'I always hang out with Tanaka.' If you want to sound more natural in a conversation, you might use the continuous form いつも遊んでいる. This makes it sound like a current, ongoing habit. It’s a very flexible phrase. You can use it to introduce your best friend or explain your weekend plans. Just remember that the subject (I/We) is often dropped if it's obvious!

Use this when you're talking to friends, family, or coworkers you're close with. It’s perfect for those 'So, what do you do for fun?' conversations. Use it when you want to emphasize that someone is your 'bestie.' It's also great for texting. If someone asks what you're doing this weekend, you can say 'The usual group is hanging out' using this phrase. It feels warm and suggests a strong social bond. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a comfortable pair of sneakers.

Avoid using this in strictly professional settings. If you tell your boss you いつも遊ぶ with a client, they might think you aren't working! Also, be careful with the romantic nuance. While friends 遊ぶ, if you use it about someone you're dating, it can sometimes sound a bit non-committal or casual. Don't use it for organized sports like soccer or tennis; use する (suru) for those. And definitely don't use it for business meetings—unless your meeting involves a ball pit and a slide.

In Japan, the concept of 'play' for adults is deeply tied to stress relief. After long work hours, 遊ぶ is the necessary 'off' switch. Interestingly, Japanese culture values 'the usual' (itsumo). Having a regular group to hang out with provides a sense of belonging (ibasho). The phrase reflects a culture that prizes long-term, stable friendships over a revolving door of casual acquaintances. It’s about the comfort of knowing exactly who will be there on a Saturday night.

If 'always' feels too strong, you can swap いつも for よく (yoku), which means 'often.' If you want to sound more polite, use いつも遊びます (itsumo asobimasu). For a very casual vibe among young people, you might hear いつメン (itsumen), which is short for 'itsumo no member' (the usual members). You can also add a location, like 公園でいつも遊ぶ (always play at the park). Each variation keeps that core feeling of shared fun and consistency.