Translation guide
Expresses that actions or events occur one after another in sequence. Japanese uses adverbs, verb forms, and set phrases to convey this idea naturally.
Describing actions or events that happen in a continuous series, one following the other.
The most common and versatile adverb for 'successively' or 'one after another'. Used for events, people, or things occurring in sequence.
New stores opened one after another.
He asked questions one after another.
Means 'continuously' or 'in succession'. Often used when the same action is repeated without pause.
He worked for three hours straight.
We won two times in a row.
Formal/written word meaning 'one after another', often used for news or serious events.
Accidents occurred one after another.
A grammar pattern indicating repetition of actions in succession. Often used with verbs in te-form.
He eats and sleeps, eats and sleeps, over and over.
Means 'consecutively' or 'in a row'. Often used for numbers or records.
He won the championship for five consecutive years.
Emphasizing that events happen quickly one after another, often with a sense of urgency or speed.
Means 'in rapid succession' or 'one right after another'. Implies little or no gap between events.
Phone calls came in one right after another.
He drank three cups of coffee in rapid succession.
Literally 'arrow after arrow quickly', meaning 'in rapid succession', often used for questions or attacks.
次々に is the most general and can be used for any sequence. 続けて emphasizes continuity without a break, often for the same action. 立て続けに stresses the rapid pace with almost no interval.
Customers came one after another.
Customers came continuously (without a break).
Customers came in rapid succession.
The reporter fired off questions in rapid succession.