frequently; repeatedly; constantly
Describes an action or event happening again and again, often with a sense that it is hard to ignore.
彼は会議中、しきりに時計を気にしていた。
During the meeting, he kept checking the clock.
The phone has been ringing constantly since morning.
Used when a desire, request, urging, or attention is strong and persistent; it often overlaps with repeated expression of that feeling.
The child was eager to go outside.
He was keen to know the reason.
Describes a high degree or force, especially in natural phenomena such as rain or snow; the sense often includes both intensity and continuity.
It is raining hard.
The snow kept falling heavily.
He kept glancing at his watch again and again.
My mother kept urging me to go to bed early.
It has been raining hard and steadily since morning.