Translation guide
Expresses that multiple things or events occur one after another without interruption. Japanese uses adverbs, verb endings, and set phrases to convey this idea.
Describe a series of events or actions that occur consecutively, with little or no gap between them.
Adverb meaning 'one after another' or 'in rapid succession'. Used for both positive and negative events.
Tourists got off the bus one after another.
New shops are opening one after another.
Adverb meaning 'consecutively' or 'in a row'. Often used for actions done by a person intentionally.
He studied for three hours straight.
May I ask questions in succession?
Adverb meaning 'one after another', often used for formal or serious events like accidents, resignations, or announcements.
Accidents occurred one after another.
Pattern indicating repeated actions in succession. Verb in て-form + は, repeated. Often implies the actions are done alternately or repeatedly.
Writing and erasing, writing and erasing, I finally finished the letter.
Adverb meaning 'continuously' or 'in succession'. Often used for events over a period of time.
That team won the championship five times in succession.
Describe objects or people arranged or appearing consecutively.
Adverb meaning 'in rapid succession' or 'one right after another'. Emphasizes no pause between events.
I watched three movies in a row.
He smoked cigarettes one after another.
Onomatopoeic adverb describing a crowd of people or things moving in succession, often in a line.
Express that a position, title, or property is passed down in a line.
Adverb meaning 'for generations' or 'from generation to generation'. Used for family businesses, traditions, or inherited roles.
That shop has been run by the same family for generations.
Noun meaning 'hereditary succession'. Often used in political or traditional contexts.
次々に (tsugitsugi ni) is neutral and can be used for any sequence. 続けて (tsuzukete) implies intentional consecutive action by a person. 立て続けに (tate tsuzuke ni) emphasizes rapid succession with no pause, often with a nuance of being overwhelmed.
Problems occurred one after another.
I called three times in a row.
Customers came one right after another.
子どもたちがぞろぞろと教室に入ってきた。
The children came into the classroom one after another.
その地位は世襲だ。
The position is hereditary.