Translation guide
Expresses that multiple things or events occur one after another without interruption. Japanese uses adverbs, verb endings, and set phrases to convey this idea.
Describe a series of events or actions that occur consecutively, with little or no gap between them.
Adverb meaning 'one after another' or 'in rapid succession'. Used for both positive and negative events.
観光客が次々にバスから降りてきた。
Tourists got off the bus one after another.
新しい店が次々にオープンしている。
New shops are opening one after another.
Adverb meaning 'consecutively' or 'in a row'. Often used for actions done by a person intentionally.
彼は3時間続けて勉強した。
He studied for three hours straight.
続けて質問してもいいですか。
May I ask questions in succession?
Adverb meaning 'one after another', often used for formal or serious events like accidents, resignations, or announcements.
事故が相次いで発生した。
Accidents occurred one after another.
Pattern indicating repeated actions in succession. Verb in て-form + は, repeated. Often implies the actions are done alternately or repeatedly.
書いては消し、書いては消しして、やっと手紙を書き上げた。
Writing and erasing, writing and erasing, I finally finished the letter.
Adverb meaning 'continuously' or 'in succession'. Often used for events over a period of time.
そのチームは5連続して優勝した。
That team won the championship five times in succession.
Describe objects or people arranged or appearing consecutively.
Adverb meaning 'in rapid succession' or 'one right after another'. Emphasizes no pause between events.
立て続けに3本の映画を見た。
I watched three movies in a row.
彼は立て続けにタバコを吸った。
He smoked cigarettes one after another.
Onomatopoeic adverb describing a crowd of people or things moving in succession, often in a line.
Express that a position, title, or property is passed down in a line.
Adverb meaning 'for generations' or 'from generation to generation'. Used for family businesses, traditions, or inherited roles.
その店は代々続いている。
That shop has been run by the same family for generations.
Noun meaning 'hereditary succession'. Often used in political or traditional contexts.
次々に (tsugitsugi ni) is neutral and can be used for any sequence. 続けて (tsuzukete) implies intentional consecutive action by a person. 立て続けに (tate tsuzuke ni) emphasizes rapid succession with no pause, often with a nuance of being overwhelmed.
次々に問題が起きた。
Problems occurred one after another.
続けて3回電話した。
I called three times in a row.
立て続けに客が来た。
Customers came one right after another.
子どもたちがぞろぞろと教室に入ってきた。
The children came into the classroom one after another.
The position is hereditary.