Translation guide
The English adverb 'repeatedly' describes an action done many times, often with a sense of persistence or annoyance. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adverbs, verb forms, and sentence patterns that convey repetition, frequency, or doing something over and over.
Express that an action is done many times, often with a neutral or slightly persistent tone.
A versatile adverb meaning 'repeatedly' or 'over and over'. Can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. It is the most direct equivalent.
彼は繰り返し同じ質問をした。
He repeatedly asked the same question.
その話は繰り返し聞かされた。
I was told that story repeatedly.
Literally 'many times', this is a very common and natural way to say 'repeatedly'. It emphasizes the number of times.
何度も電話したけど、出なかった。
I called repeatedly, but he didn't answer.
彼女は何度も同じ間違いをする。
She makes the same mistake repeatedly.
Means 'often' or 'frequently', implying repeated occurrences over time. Slightly more formal than 何度も.
彼はたびたび遅刻する。
He is repeatedly late.
Emphasize that an action is repeated persistently, sometimes to the point of being bothersome.
Adverbial form of しつこい (persistent, insistent). Carries a negative nuance of being annoyingly repetitive.
彼はしつこく誘ってきた。
He repeatedly invited me (in an annoying way).
Similar to 何度も, but uses the counter 回 for occurrences. Can sound more casual.
何回も言ったでしょ！
I've told you repeatedly!
A pattern indicating repeated alternation or doing something over and over. Often used for habitual or annoying repetition.
書いては消し、書いては消しして、やっと手紙を書き上げた。
Writing and erasing repeatedly, I finally finished the letter.
Express that an action is done repeatedly in quick succession or without interruption.
Means 'one after another' or 'in rapid succession'. Used when things happen repeatedly in a sequence.
客が次々に来た。
Customers came repeatedly (one after another).
Means 'in rapid succession' or 'one after another', emphasizing the lack of pause between repetitions.
彼は立て続けに3本のホームランを打った。
He hit three home runs repeatedly (in a row).
Indicate that an action is repeated as a habit or routine.
Means 'always' or 'every time'. In context, it can convey that someone repeatedly does something as a habit.
彼はいつも文句を言う。
He repeatedly complains (always complains).
More formal than いつも, meaning 'constantly' or 'always'. Used for habitual or repeated states/actions.
Both mean 'repeatedly', but 何度も focuses on the number of times (many times), while 繰り返し emphasizes the action of repeating itself. 何度も is more colloquial; 繰り返し is slightly more formal and often used in written language.
English often uses 'repeatedly' as a standalone adverb, but in Japanese, it's more natural to use frequency adverbs (何度も, よく) or verb forms (〜ている, 〜てくる) to express repetition. Overusing 繰り返し can sound stiff.
彼は何度も助けを求めた。
He repeatedly asked for help.
電話が何度も鳴った。
The phone rang repeatedly.
彼女は同じ間違いを繰り返した。
She repeatedly made the same mistake.
He is repeatedly (constantly) thinking of new ideas.