Translation guide
Expressing that an action or event occurred more than once, but not many times. Japanese uses counters, adverbs, and repetition patterns.
To say that something happened a few times, without specifying an exact number.
A common, neutral way to say 'several times'. Literally 'some number of times'.
その映画は何度か見ました。
I've seen that movie several times.
More formal or written. Literally 'several times'.
会議は数回延期された。
The meeting was postponed several times.
Similar to 何度か, but 回 is used for counting occurrences. Slightly more casual.
彼には何回か会ったことがある。
I've met him several times.
Literally 'many times', but often used for 'several times' when emphasizing repetition. Can imply more than a few.
何度も言ったでしょ。
I've told you several times.
To say 'several times' when you know the exact number, like 'three or four times'.
Use the number + 回 (counter for times). For 'several', use 数回 or 何回か.
週に３、４回ジムに行く。
I go to the gym three or four times a week.
Similar to 回, but 度 can sound slightly more formal or is used in fixed expressions.
この薬は１日３度服用してください。
Take this medicine three times a day.
To emphasize that an action was done repeatedly, not just a few times.
Adverb meaning 'repeatedly' or 'over and over'. Can be used for 'several times' when the repetition is key.
彼は繰り返し同じ質問をした。
He asked the same question several times.
Emphatic repetition, 'again and again' or 'many times'. Stronger than just 何度も.
何度も何度も練習した。
I practiced several times, over and over.
To say 'not several times' or 'not many times'.
Used with negative verb to mean 'not many times' or 'not often'.
彼は何度も来なかった。
He didn't come several times. (He came only a few times.)
Literally 'only several times', emphasizing the small number.
その店には数回しか行ったことがない。
I've only been to that store a few times.
何度か is more conversational and common in speech. 数回 is slightly more formal and often used in writing or official contexts. Both mean 'several times'.
何度か試したが、うまくいかなかった。
I tried several times, but it didn't work.
数回の実験の結果、成功した。
As a result of several experiments, we succeeded.
The literal translation 'いくつかの時' is not natural Japanese for 'several times'. Use counters like 回 or 度, or adverbs like 何度か.
彼に何度か電話したが、出なかった。
I called him several times, but he didn't answer.
彼女は日本に数回訪れたことがある。
She has visited Japan several times.