Translation guide
Expresses that something will not happen another time, often with strong resolve or regret. In Japanese, this is commonly conveyed with adverbs like 二度と (にどと) or もう (mou) combined with a negative verb, or through set phrases.
To declare that you will absolutely not do something or let something happen another time, often with emotional emphasis.
The most common and emphatic way to say 'never again'. 二度と (にどと) literally means 'a second time', and when paired with a negative verb, it strongly denies any future occurrence. Suitable for both spoken and written Japanese.
二度とあんなことはしません。
I will never do such a thing again.
I never want to see him again.
もう means 'already' or 'anymore', and with a negative verb it conveys 'not anymore' or 'never again'. It is slightly less forceful than 二度と and very common in everyday speech.
もう二度と嘘はつかない。
I will never tell a lie again.
もうあの店には行かない。
I'm never going to that shop again.
A very strong, somewhat old-fashioned or literary adverb meaning 'never again' or 'under no circumstances'. Often used with a negative verb. It carries a dramatic, final tone.
金輪際、酒は飲まない。
I will never drink alcohol again, no matter what.
To express that you wish a past event had not occurred, or that you hope it never happens again.
Used when expressing a hope or prayer that something never happens again. The ように indicates a wish or goal.
こんなことが二度と起こらないように。
I hope this never happens again.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'I've had enough' or 'I'm fed up and never want to experience that again'. It conveys strong aversion based on a bad experience.
徹夜はもうこりごりだ。
I've had enough of all-nighters. Never again.
To state that a situation or action has stopped and will not resume.
As above, but here the focus is on the cessation of a habitual action or state. It simply means 'not anymore'.
彼はもうここには来ない。
He doesn't come here anymore. / He will never come here again.
Emphasizes the finality of the cessation. Stronger than もう alone.
彼女は二度と笑わなかった。
She never smiled again.
Both can mean 'never again', but 二度と is more emphatic and often implies a strong determination or emotional reaction. もう is more neutral and simply indicates that something has stopped or will not continue. They can be combined for extra emphasis: もう二度と.
もう二度と会わない。
I will never see you again.
Avoid directly translating 'never again' as 決して再び (けっして ふたたび) in most contexts. While grammatically possible, it sounds stiff and unnatural in everyday speech. Stick to 二度と or もう with a negative verb.
このご恩は二度と忘れません。
I will never forget this kindness.
その事故の後、彼は二度と運転しなかった。
After that accident, he never drove again.