Translation guide
Describes things that happen one after another in a sequence, without interruption, or in consecutive order.
Express that events, actions, or items occur in an unbroken sequence, one following the other.
A noun/suru-verb meaning 'continuation' or 'succession'. Often used for events or actions that occur one after another without a break.
Despite successive failures, he didn't give up.
The team won five successive championships.
A verb meaning 'to happen one after another', often used for events that occur in quick succession, especially negative ones.
Traffic was paralyzed by successive accidents.
An adverb/noun meaning 'in rapid succession', emphasizing that things happen without pause.
I was troubled by the successive questions.
Similar to 立て続け, meaning 'one after another', but slightly more literary.
The phone rang successive times.
Indicate that numbers, days, or items follow each other in a regular sequence without gaps.
Use 連続 before a number+counter to mean 'N successive [things]'. Common with days, times, wins, etc.
He was late for three successive days.
This movie has been number one for five successive weeks.
Can also be used as a standalone noun or with の to modify nouns.
Placing the number+counter before 連続 is also common, especially in headlines.
The game was canceled due to three successive days of rain.
Refer to a line of people holding a position or title one after another, like kings or family heads.
Means 'successive generations' or 'successive holders of a position'. Used for emperors, presidents, etc.
He is the most popular among successive presidents.
Means 'for generations', often used for family businesses or inherited roles.
連続 is the most general and neutral for 'successive'. 相次ぐ emphasizes events happening in quick succession, often with a negative nuance. 立て続け is colloquial and stresses the lack of pause between actions.
English often uses 'successive' as an adjective before a noun (e.g., 'successive victories'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use a noun like 連続 with の or a verb phrase. Avoid directly translating 'successive' as a single adjective.
連続の優勝記録を更新した。
They extended their record of successive championships.
その店は代々続いている。
The shop has been run by successive generations.