How to say "ever" in Japanese

• 史上しじょうCommon
  no-adjective, adverbThe 'ever' of superlatives: literally 'in history', used when calling something the best, biggest, or worst ever. It is not the 'ever' of experience or of 'forever'.
  日本にっぽんの貿易ぼうえき黒字くろじは史上しじょう最高さいこうを記録きろくしました。↗

  Japan's trade surplus soared to a record high.
• エバーCommon
  adverbEssentially the English word 'ever' borrowed as-is; in ordinary sentences other words do this job, so it is seldom what you want, appearing mainly in advertising and product names.
  ピーターとエバは似合にあいのカップルだ。↗

  Peter and Eve make a handsome couple.
• かつてJLPT N1approx.Common
  adverb, no-adjectiveChiefly 'once, formerly, at one time'; its 'ever' sense appears in questions and negatives, asking or denying whether something has ever happened.
  一般いっぱんに日本人にほんじんは、自分じぶんたちがかつてより暮らし向くらしむきがよくなったと考かんがえている。↗

  The Japanese at large consider themselves better off than they used to be.
• 末永くすえながくCommon
  adverbThe 'ever' of 'ever after': an adverb meaning 'forever, for many years to come', typical of well-wishes, as in wishing a newlywed couple lasting happiness.
  客人きゃくじんたちはその幸しあわせな夫婦ふうふが末永すえながく裕福ゆうふくな人生じんせいを送おくる事ことを祈いのった。↗

  The guests wished the happy couple a long and prosperous life.
• 果たしてはたしてJLPT N2approx.Common
  adverbMostly 'really, actually'; its 'ever' turns up in questions expressing doubt or curiosity about whether something really does or will happen.
  あなたの言いう事ことが果はたして事実じじつなのか調しらべてみよう。↗

  We will check to see if what you have said is really the truth.

Use 史上 for 'ever' in superlatives, 「かつて」 for 'ever/once' about the past, 「末永く」 for 'ever' meaning 'forever' in wishes, 「果たして」 for 'ever' in doubtful questions, and 「エバー」 only as a katakana loanword.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 史上しじょうin history
• エバーever
• かつてonce
• 末永くすえながくforever
• いやしくもany
• 果たしてはたしてreally