Translation guide
Describes actions, states, or feelings that alternate or occur in sequence, often between people or over time.
Expressing that two or more things happen one after the other, repeatedly.
A common pattern to list alternating actions or states. Verbs and adjectives in た-form are connected with たり, ending with する.
He was crying and laughing by turns.
Describing feelings or states that shift back and forth.
Same pattern as above, used with adjectives or verbs to show alternating emotional states.
交互に emphasizes a strict back-and-forth alternation (A, B, A, B). 代わる代わる is more casual and implies people swapping roles. 順番に implies a predetermined order or queue, not necessarily alternating.
They sang songs by turns (alternating).
天気は暑かったり寒かったりする。
The weather is hot and cold by turns.
Adverb meaning 'alternately' or 'by turns'. Used when two things take turns in a regular, back-and-forth manner.
The two spoke by turns.
Let's drive by turns.
Adverb meaning 'by turns' or 'in turn', emphasizing people taking turns doing something. Slightly more casual than 交互に.
The children took turns on the swing by turns.
Means 'in order' or 'by turns', often when there is a set sequence or queue.
Please introduce yourselves by turns.
His feelings are happy and sad by turns.
A set phrase meaning 'to alternate between joy and sorrow', often used for being emotionally swayed by small changes.
He is alternately hopeful and anxious with stock price changes.
代わる代わる運転した。
They took turns driving (swapping drivers).
They received medical examinations in order.