Translation guide
How to express that an action, event, or pattern happens again or multiple times in Japanese.
To say that something happens again, is done again, or occurs repeatedly.
Used when an action is redone, often to correct or improve it. Attach 直す to the masu-stem of a verb.
作文を書き直した。
I rewrote the essay.
計画を見直す必要がある。
We need to review (re-examine) the plan.
Indicates doing an action again, often in return or repeatedly. Attach 返す to the masu-stem.
同じ質問を繰り返した。
I repeated the same question.
読み返すたびに新しい発見がある。
Every time I reread it, I discover something new.
The most common verb for 'repeat' or 'do repeatedly'. Can be used for actions, words, patterns, etc.
歴史は繰り返す。
History repeats itself.
彼は同じ間違いを繰り返した。
He repeated the same mistake.
Expresses that something happens occasionally or repeatedly. 'There are times when...'
時々、寝坊することがある。
Sometimes I oversleep.
Used when events or dates overlap or coincide, implying repetition in a temporal sense.
今年は祝日が重なって連休になった。
This year the holidays overlapped and became a long weekend.
To repeat words, a phrase, or a statement.
The standard verb for repeating words or statements.
もう一度繰り返してください。
Please repeat that one more time.
Literally 'say once more'. A natural way to ask someone to repeat themselves.
すみません、もう一度言っていただけますか？
Excuse me, could you say that again?
To repeat aloud after someone, often in a formal or learning context.
生徒は先生の後に復唱した。
The students repeated after the teacher.
To describe a recurring pattern, cycle, or phenomenon.
Passive form of 繰り返す, often used when a pattern or event repeats itself without a specific agent.
同じ過ちが繰り返される。
The same mistakes are repeated.
Means 'periodic' or 'cyclical', used to describe events that repeat at regular intervals.
この現象は周期的に起こる。
This phenomenon occurs periodically.
Loanword from English 'loop', used in casual or technical contexts for things that repeat in a cycle.
動画がループしてる。
The video is looping.
To do something over and over to learn or improve.
General verb for 'practice', implying repetition.
毎日ピアノを練習している。
I practice piano every day.
Means 'repeat' or 'reiterate', often used in learning contexts for drills.
単語を反復して覚える。
Memorize words through repetition.
Casual way to say 'do many times'.
何度もやれば上手くなるよ。
If you do it many times, you'll get better.
直す implies redoing to fix or improve, while 返す implies doing again in return or repeatedly. 書き直す (rewrite to correct) vs 読み返す (reread, often for enjoyment or review).
レポートを書き直した。
I rewrote the report (to improve it).
手紙を読み返した。
I reread the letter.
When asking someone to repeat what they said, もう一度言ってください is more natural than 繰り返してください, which can sound stiff or formal.