Translation guide
Describes actions, states, or feelings that alternate or occur in sequence, often between people or over time.
Expressing that two or more things happen one after the other, repeatedly.
A common pattern to list alternating actions or states. Verbs and adjectives in た-form are connected with たり, ending with する.
彼は泣いたり笑ったりしていた。
He was crying and laughing by turns.
天気は暑かったり寒かったりする。
The weather is hot and cold by turns.
Adverb meaning 'alternately' or 'by turns'. Used when two things take turns in a regular, back-and-forth manner.
Adverb meaning 'by turns' or 'in turn', emphasizing people taking turns doing something. Slightly more casual than 交互に.
Means 'in order' or 'by turns', often when there is a set sequence or queue.
順番に自己紹介してください。
Please introduce yourselves by turns.
Describing feelings or states that shift back and forth.
Same pattern as above, used with adjectives or verbs to show alternating emotional states.
彼の気持ちは嬉しかったり悲しかったりする。
His feelings are happy and sad by turns.
交互に emphasizes a strict back-and-forth alternation (A, B, A, B). 代わる代わる is more casual and implies people swapping roles. 順番に implies a predetermined order or queue, not necessarily alternating.
交互に歌を歌った。
They sang songs by turns (alternating).
代わる代わる運転した。
They took turns driving (swapping drivers).
順番に診察を受けた。
They received medical examinations in order.
The two spoke by turns.
交互に運転しよう。
Let's drive by turns.
子供たちは代わる代わるブランコに乗った。
The children took turns on the swing by turns.
A set phrase meaning 'to alternate between joy and sorrow', often used for being emotionally swayed by small changes.
株価の変動に一喜一憂する。
He is alternately hopeful and anxious with stock price changes.