Translation guide
Describes events happening one after another with little or no pause. Japanese uses adverbs, verb forms, and mimetic words to express rapid succession.
Express that multiple actions or events occur in rapid sequence
Adverb meaning 'one after another' or 'in rapid succession'. Used with verbs to describe a series of events.
Problems occurred in quick succession.
He asked questions in quick succession.
Adverb emphasizing that events happen without interruption, often with a sense of relentlessness.
Phone calls came in quick succession.
He hit three home runs in quick succession.
Formal adverb often used in news or reports for events occurring one after another.
Accidents occurred in quick succession.
Similar to 立て続けに, but slightly more colloquial. Implies actions done without a break.
He smoked cigarettes in quick succession.
Literally 'arrow after arrow quickly'. Used for rapid-fire questions or actions, often with a sense of urgency.
The reporter asked questions in quick succession.
Express that the same action is repeated quickly multiple times
Use onomatopoeia to vividly describe quick, successive actions
Mimetic word for things progressing rapidly or continuously. Very common in speech.
The work got done in quick succession.
Variant of 次々に, slightly more emphatic or literary.
The audience entered the venue in quick succession.
Mimetic for light, quick actions like popping or firing off. Casual.
次々に is neutral and simply describes a sequence. 立て続けに emphasizes no pause and can imply relentlessness or annoyance.
Customers came one after another.
Complaints came in quick succession (and it was overwhelming).
Do not translate 'in quick succession' word-for-word. Phrases like '速い連続で' are unnatural. Use the adverbs and patterns above.
Verb meaning to do something relentlessly one after another, like 'to press on' or 'to fire off'.
He fired off questions in quick succession.
He came up with ideas in quick succession.