Translation guide
The English word "repeating" can be expressed in Japanese through verbs meaning "to repeat," adverbs meaning "repeatedly," or by describing actions done again. The most common and versatile option is 繰り返す (くりかえす).
Expressing the action of repeating something, such as a word, action, or process.
The most common and general verb for 'to repeat.' Can be used for actions, words, mistakes, etc.
同じことを繰り返さないでください。
Please don't repeat the same thing.
彼は同じ質問を繰り返した。
He repeated the same question.
Loanword from English, often used for repeating audio/video, or in casual contexts. Less formal than 繰り返す.
その曲をリピートして聞いている。
I'm listening to that song on repeat.
Formal or technical term for repetition, often used in academic, scientific, or training contexts.
実験を反復して結果を確認する。
Repeat the experiment to confirm the results.
Describing an event or action that occurs repeatedly over time.
Passive form of 繰り返す, often used when something is repeated (by someone or something) or happens repeatedly.
同じ過ちが繰り返される。
The same mistakes are repeated.
Adverb meaning 'often' or 'repeatedly,' implying something happens many times.
彼は度々遅刻する。
He is repeatedly late.
Phrase meaning 'many times' or 'over and over,' emphasizing the number of repetitions.
何度も同じ話を聞いた。
I've heard the same story over and over.
Quoting or echoing what someone else said.
To repeat aloud what someone else said, often for confirmation or memorization. Common in classroom or instruction settings.
先生の言葉を復唱してください。
Please repeat after the teacher.
Literally 'parrot return,' meaning to repeat someone's words back to them mindlessly or mockingly. Colloquial.
彼は私の言ったことをオウム返しした。
He just parroted back what I said.
Staying in the same grade for another year due to poor performance.
To repeat a school year. Commonly used for university students, but can apply to other levels.
彼は単位が足りなくて留年した。
He didn't have enough credits and had to repeat the year.
While 繰り返す means 'to repeat,' it is not used for repeating a school grade. Use 留年する instead.
繰り返す is the standard, all-purpose verb. リピートする is a loanword often used for media playback or in casual speech. In formal writing, stick to 繰り返す.