What it means
ぶり is a suffix with several related uses. After a duration noun, it means that something happens again after that amount of time, often translated as “for the first time in …” or “after …”. After a noun, it describes the condition, appearance, conduct, or quality associated with that noun. After a verb masu-stem, it describes the manner in which an action is performed. The duration use commonly appears with に or の, while the descriptive uses can be followed by particles such as は, が, and で.
Usage note
Do not confuse the duration use, such as 三年ぶりに, with the descriptive use, such as 仕事ぶり or 話しぶり. In the duration use, the preceding noun expresses elapsed time; in the descriptive uses, it identifies the conduct, state, or manner being evaluated.
How to use it
私は三年ぶりに研究室を訪れました。
I visited the laboratory for the first time in three years.
私の仕事ぶりは高く評価されました。
My work performance was highly evaluated.
彼は慎重な話しぶりで委員会を説得しました。
He persuaded the committee with his cautious manner of speaking.
私は三年ぶりに研究室を訪れた。
I visited the laboratory for the first time in three years.
私の仕事ぶりは高く評価された。
My work performance was highly evaluated.
彼は慎重な話しぶりで委員会を説得した。
He persuaded the committee with his cautious manner of speaking.
Example sentences
十年ぶりに故郷の図書館を訪れたところ、当時の司書が私の顔を覚えていた。
When I visited my hometown library for the first time in ten years, the librarian from that time remembered my face.
半年ぶりに大学時代の恩師から手紙が届いた。
For the first time in six months, I received a letter from my mentor from my university days.