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Shirimono
GRAMMAR
〜振りに
for the first time in
Explanation
NOTE

りに means for the first time in a stated interval of time — emphasizing that something happens again after a long absence.

3年さんねんりに故郷こきょうかえった。
I went back to my hometown for the first time in three years.
Attaches directly to a time-period noun (年, 月, 週間, 日, etc.).
NOTE

The interval can be specific (3年・2か月) or vague (久し・しばらく). The expression ひさりに — meaning after a long time — is one of the most common fixed forms.

NOTE

It often carries a nostalgic or pleasantly surprised feeling — the reunion, return, or repetition feels meaningful because of the long gap.

NOTE

Attach 〜りに directly to a noun expressing a duration. No particle goes between the time word and 振りに.

STRUCTURE
N
<ruby>振<rt>ぶ</rt></ruby>りに
10年じゅうねんりに高校こうこう友達ともだちった。
Juunen buri ni koukou no tomodachi ni atta.
I met my high school friend for the first time in ten years.
ひさりに映画館えいがかんった。
Hisashi buri ni eigakan e itta.
I went to the cinema for the first time in a long while.
2か月にかげつりにあめった。
Nikagetsu buri ni ame ga futta.
It rained for the first time in two months.

Practice exercises

1
かえ途中とちゅう、1かげつりにケーキをった。
On the way home, for the first time in a month, I bought a cake.
Answer
りに
2
準備じゅんび最中さいちゅう、1ねんりに友達ともだちから電話でんわがあった。
In the middle of preparing, for the first time in a year, a friend called.
Answer
りに
3
いまだに10ねんりにあの瞬間しゅんかんわすれられない。
Even now, for the first time in ten years, I still can't forget that moment.
Answer
りに
4
数年すうねんりにむかし友人ゆうじんった。
For the first time in several years, I met my old friend.
Answer
りに
5
数十年すうじゅうねんりに伝統的でんとうてきまつりが開催かいさいされた。
For the first time in decades, a traditional festival was held.
Answer
りに