Why is いつも used in this sentence?


Consider this sentence:

> **いつもと** 変えてたまに外で食事しよう。

This was translated as:

"Let's occasionally change where we go to eat out."

I have two questions:

  1. If いつも means always/usually, I don't understand how that fits into the translation because たまに expresses "occasionally".
  2. If いつも is an adverb/noun, how is the と particle used in this sentence?

An explanation of how the grammar works would be appreciated.




> 「いつもと変{か}えてたまに外{そと}で食事{しょくじ}しよう。」

And someone translated that to:

> "Let's occasionally change where we go to eat out."

Now, I have to say that the **_original and the translation do not match at
all_**. Frankly, the translator does not seem to be very proficient in
Japanese.

The speaker of the original sentence (and his/her group/family) usually eat at
home. (いつも = usually) On this particular day, however, s/he is suggesting to
make a change in that habit and go out to eat instead. Are you following?

The problem is that that is **not** what the translated English sentence says
at all.

>   1. If いつも means always/usually, I don't understand how that fits into the
> translation because たまに expresses "occasionally".
>

As I stated, that translation is a complete flop. It would not be very
productive to discuss which word went where.

>   2. If いつも is an adverb/noun, how is the と particle used in this sentence?
>

Here, 「いつも」 is a noun, so no problem with the 「と」. This 「と」 indicates the
"standard" when talking about making a change. 「いつも」 is the standard and they
want a change from that and go eat out.




> 「いつもと変{か}えてたまに外{そと}で食事{しょくじ}しよう。」

And someone translated that to:

> "Let's occasionally change where we go to eat out."

Now, I have to say that the **_original and the translation do not match at
all_**. Frankly, the translator does not seem to be very proficient in
Japanese.

The speaker of the original sentence (and his/her group/family) usually eat at
home. (いつも = usually) On this particular day, however, s/he is suggesting to
make a change in that habit and go out to eat instead. Are you following?

The problem is that that is **not** what the translated English sentence says
at all.

>   1. If いつも means always/usually, I don't understand how that fits into the
> translation because たまに expresses "occasionally".
>

As I stated, that translation is a complete flop. It would not be very
productive to discuss which word went where.

>   2. If いつも is an adverb/noun, how is the と particle used in this sentence?
>

Here, 「いつも」 is a noun, so no problem with the 「と」. This 「と」 indicates the
"standard" when talking about making a change. 「いつも」 is the standard and they
want a change from that and go eat out.

