Translation guide
Expresses repetition of an action or event many times, often with a sense of monotony or persistence. Japanese uses adverbs, verb forms, and mimetic words to convey this.
To say that something happens again and again, often in a continuous or habitual manner.
Literally 'many times', this is the most common and neutral way to say 'over and over again'. It can be used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼は何度も同じ話をする。
He tells the same story over and over again.
If you practice over and over again, you'll get better.
Means 'repeatedly' or 'over and over'. It emphasizes the act of repeating. Slightly more formal than 何度も, but still very common.
彼は繰り返し同じ質問をした。
He asked the same question over and over again.
繰り返し言うが、注意してください。
I say it over and over again, please be careful.
Similar to 何度も, but uses the counter 回 (times). Very common in casual speech.
何回も電話したけど出なかった。
I called over and over again but you didn't answer.
Reduplication of 何度も for emphasis, like 'again and again and again'. Adds emotional weight, often frustration or persistence.
何度も何度も説明したのに理解してくれない。
I explained it over and over again, but they don't understand.
Formal/literary term meaning 'repeatedly' or 'again and again'. Often used in written language or formal speeches.
再三注意したにもかかわらず、彼はミスを繰り返した。
Despite being warned over and over again, he repeated the mistake.
To emphasize that an action is done in a loop or without pause, often with a sense of monotony.
A grammar pattern using the te-form of a verb repeated. It indicates a repeated cycle of actions, often with a negative nuance of futility or endlessness. The same verb is used twice.
書いては消し、書いては消しして、なかなか手紙が書けない。
Writing and erasing over and over again, I just can't write the letter.
食べては寝、食べては寝の生活だ。
I just eat and sleep over and over again.
Means 'endlessly' or 'on and on'. Used for actions that continue for a long time, often with a negative connotation of being tedious.
彼は延々と文句を言い続けた。
He complained over and over again endlessly.
Mimetic word for spinning or going in circles. Can metaphorically mean doing the same thing over and over without progress.
Specifically for repeating speech acts like asking, telling, or warning.
Idiom meaning 'to say something over and over until one's mouth becomes sour'. Used when you've repeatedly warned or advised someone.
口を酸っぱくして言ったのに、また遅刻した。
I told you over and over again, but you were late again.
Means 'to remind repeatedly' or 'to make sure by saying again'. It's about emphasizing a point to ensure understanding.
念を押して言ったが、彼は忘れてしまった。
I told him over and over again to make sure, but he forgot.
Both mean 'repeatedly', but 何度も focuses on the number of times (many times), while 繰り返し emphasizes the act of repetition itself. 何度も is slightly more casual and common in speech; 繰り返し is often used in instructions or formal contexts.
何度も言ったでしょ！
I told you over and over!
手順を繰り返し確認してください。
Please check the procedure repeatedly.
English 'over and over again' is often translated literally as 上に上に再び, but this is unnatural. Use the adverbs and patterns above instead.
同じ考えが頭の中をぐるぐる回っている。
The same thought goes round and round in my head over and over again.