Translation guide
A guide to expressing the English phrase 'in turn' in Japanese, covering sequential actions, reciprocal relationships, and consequential meanings.
To describe people or things doing something one after another, or taking turns.
The most common way to say 'in turn' when people take turns doing something. It literally means 'in order' or 'by turns'.
生徒たちは順番に質問に答えた。
The students answered the questions in turn.
Please introduce yourselves in turn.
Used when people alternate doing something, often in a more casual or spontaneous way. Implies taking turns without a strict order.
彼らは代わる代わる運転した。
They took turns driving.
Means 'alternately' or 'in turn', often used for two things or people alternating. Slightly more formal.
二人は交互に歌を歌った。
The two sang songs in turn.
To express that one thing affects another, which in turn affects the first, or a chain of mutual influence.
Literally 'this time', used to indicate a turn of events or a reciprocal action. Often translates to 'in turn' when describing a sequence of reactions.
彼が私を助けてくれたので、今度は私が彼を助けた。
He helped me, so I helped him in turn.
Means 'conversely' or 'in return'. Can be used when an action is reciprocated, often with a sense of reversal.
彼女が私に親切にしてくれたので、逆に私も親切にした。
She was kind to me, so I was kind to her in turn.
Literally 'in return', often used for favors or gifts. Can be used for reciprocal actions but has a nuance of returning a favor.
彼の助けのお返しに、私は彼に夕食をごちそうした。
In turn for his help, I treated him to dinner.
To indicate that one event leads to another, often in a chain of cause and effect.
Literally 'that', used to refer back to a previous statement and introduce a consequence. Often translates to 'which in turn' or 'and that'.
彼は昇進した。それが彼の自信につながった。
He got promoted, which in turn boosted his confidence.
Means 'as a result'. More formal and explicit about cause and effect.
需要が増加し、その結果価格が上昇した。
Demand increased, and in turn prices rose.
Means 'by that' or 'thereby', indicating that something is caused by the previous action. Often used in written or formal contexts.
新しい政策が導入され、それによって経済が改善した。
A new policy was introduced, which in turn improved the economy.
Do not translate 'in turn' word-for-word as 「ターンで」 or similar. It will not be understood. Use the patterns above depending on the intended meaning.
順番に is the most general for taking turns in a set order. 代わる代わる implies a more casual, back-and-forth alternation. 交互に is often used for two parties alternating in a more formal or systematic way.