Translation guide
The English word "repeat" covers several distinct actions: saying or doing something again, telling someone else what you heard, and experiencing a recurring event. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions for each meaning.
To perform an action or say something one more time.
General verb for repeating an action or statement. Can be used for both positive and negative repetition.
同じ間違いを繰り返さないでください。
Please don't repeat the same mistake.
彼は同じ話を何度も繰り返した。
He repeated the same story many times.
Loanword from English, often used in casual or technical contexts (e.g., music, orders). Less formal than 繰り返す.
さっきの曲をもう一度リピートして。
Repeat that last song again.
Literally 'to pile up', used for repeating actions or words in a layered sense, often in formal or literary contexts.
失敗を重ねて、ついに成功した。
After repeated failures, he finally succeeded.
To tell someone else words that you heard from another person.
To repeat someone's words back to them, often in a confrontational or echoing manner. Can also mean 'to talk back'.
Can imply a negative or argumentative tone if used in certain contexts.
彼は私の言葉をそのまま言い返した。
He repeated my words exactly back to me.
Used to quote what someone repeated. The quoted speech is marked with と.
彼女は「大丈夫」と繰り返した。
She repeated, 'It's okay.'
To repeat aloud what someone has said, often for confirmation or memorization. Formal and somewhat technical.
上司の指示を復唱してください。
Please repeat the boss's instructions.
For an event or situation to occur another time.
Passive form of 繰り返す, used when an event repeats itself or is repeated (often by an unspecified agent).
歴史は繰り返される。
History repeats itself.
同じような事故が繰り返されている。
Similar accidents are being repeated.
Specifically for negative events like diseases, problems, or mistakes recurring. Often used in medical or formal contexts.
病気が再発しないように気をつけてください。
Please be careful so that the illness doesn't recur.
Colloquial term for a disease or bad condition returning after seeming to improve.
To show or play something again on TV, radio, or stage.
To rebroadcast a TV or radio program.
このドラマは来週再放送されます。
This drama will be repeated next week.
Used for an encore performance at a concert, or metaphorically for a repeat performance.
観客がアンコールを求めた。
The audience demanded a repeat performance.
繰り返す is the standard, neutral verb for repeating an action or statement. リピートする is a loanword often used in casual speech or specific contexts like music playback, ordering food, or repeating a word in language learning. In formal writing, stick to 繰り返す.
In classroom settings, 'repeat after me' is usually expressed as 「後に続いて言ってください」 (あとにつづいていってください) or 「リピートしてください」. Using 繰り返す here can sound unnatural.
もう一度言っていただけますか？
Could you repeat that?
Polite way to ask someone to say something again. Not a direct translation of 'repeat'.
風邪がぶり返した。
My cold came back.