Translation guide
Expresses that an action or event happens repeatedly, many times, or continuously. Japanese uses adverbs, verb forms, and idiomatic phrases to convey different nuances of repetition.
To say that something happens over and over, multiple times.
Literally 'many times', this is the most common and neutral way to say 'again and again'. It emphasizes the number of repetitions.
彼は何度も同じ質問をした。
He asked the same question again and again.
Means 'repeatedly' or 'over and over'. It can be used as an adverb or noun. Slightly more formal than 何度も.
彼女は繰り返しその話をした。
She told that story again and again.
Similar to 何度も, meaning 'many times'. Slightly more casual.
何回も電話したけど、出なかった。
I called again and again, but he didn't answer.
Emphatic repetition of 何度も, stressing the numerous repetitions. Often used in emotional contexts.
何度も何度も謝った。
I apologized again and again.
Formal/literary term meaning 'repeatedly' or 'again and again'. Often used in written language or formal speech.
再三注意したが、彼は聞かなかった。
I warned him again and again, but he didn't listen.
To express that an action continues or repeats incessantly, often with a nuance of annoyance or persistence.
Means 'frequently' or 'incessantly'. It implies that the action is done repeatedly in a short period, often with a sense of eagerness or persistence.
彼はしきりに時計を見ていた。
He kept looking at his watch again and again.
A pattern that indicates a repeated alternation of actions. It can convey 'again and again' when the same verb is repeated, or alternating actions.
書いては消し、書いては消しして、やっと手紙を書き上げた。
Writing and erasing again and again, I finally finished the letter.
To emphasize a repetitive cycle, often with a sense of futility or endlessness.
Literally 'repetition of the same thing'. Used to describe a monotonous cycle or when something happens again and again without change.
毎日同じことの繰り返しで、飽きてしまった。
It's the same thing again and again every day, and I got bored.
Means 'endlessly' or 'on and on'. It emphasizes the prolonged, often tedious nature of the repetition.
彼は延々と同じ話を続けた。
He went on and on with the same story again and again.
Both mean 'repeatedly', but 何度も focuses on the number of times (many times), while 繰り返し focuses on the action of repeating. 繰り返し can also be used as a noun (e.g., 繰り返しの練習 'repeated practice').
The English phrase 'again and again' is often not translated word-for-word. Using またまた is incorrect. Instead, use adverbs like 何度も or 繰り返し.
Means 'incessantly' or 'without a break'. Often used for things that happen continuously, like phone calls or rain.
電話がひっきりなしに鳴った。
The phone rang again and again without stopping.