Translation guide
How to express that an action, event, or pattern happens again or multiple times in Japanese.
To say that something happens again, is done again, or occurs repeatedly.
Used when an action is redone, often to correct or improve it. Attach 直す to the masu-stem of a verb.
I rewrote the essay.
We need to review (re-examine) the plan.
Indicates doing an action again, often in return or repeatedly. Attach 返す to the masu-stem.
I repeated the same question.
Every time I reread it, I discover something new.
The most common verb for 'repeat' or 'do repeatedly'. Can be used for actions, words, patterns, etc.
History repeats itself.
Expresses that something happens occasionally or repeatedly. 'There are times when...'
Sometimes I oversleep.
Used when events or dates overlap or coincide, implying repetition in a temporal sense.
This year the holidays overlapped and became a long weekend.
To repeat words, a phrase, or a statement.
To describe a recurring pattern, cycle, or phenomenon.
Passive form of 繰り返す, often used when a pattern or event repeats itself without a specific agent.
The same mistakes are repeated.
Means 'periodic' or 'cyclical', used to describe events that repeat at regular intervals.
Loanword from English 'loop', used in casual or technical contexts for things that repeat in a cycle.
The video is looping.
To do something over and over to learn or improve.
General verb for 'practice', implying repetition.
I practice piano every day.
Means 'repeat' or 'reiterate', often used in learning contexts for drills.
Memorize words through repetition.
Casual way to say 'do many times'.
If you do it many times, you'll get better.
直す implies redoing to fix or improve, while 返す implies doing again in return or repeatedly. 書き直す (rewrite to correct) vs 読み返す (reread, often for enjoyment or review).
I rewrote the report (to improve it).
I reread the letter.
When asking someone to repeat what they said, もう一度言ってください is more natural than 繰り返してください, which can sound stiff or formal.
He repeated the same mistake.
Excuse me, could you say that again?
The students repeated after the teacher.
この現象は周期的に起こる。
This phenomenon occurs periodically.