Translation guide
Expresses that actions or events occur one after another in sequence. Japanese uses adverbs, verb forms, and set phrases to convey this idea naturally.
Describing actions or events that happen in a continuous series, one following the other.
The most common and versatile adverb for 'successively' or 'one after another'. Used for events, people, or things occurring in sequence.
Emphasizing that events happen quickly one after another, often with a sense of urgency or speed.
Means 'in rapid succession' or 'one right after another'. Implies little or no gap between events.
立て続けに電話がかかってきた。
Phone calls came in one right after another.
次々に is the most general and can be used for any sequence. 続けて emphasizes continuity without a break, often for the same action. 立て続けに stresses the rapid pace with almost no interval.
次々に客が来た。
Customers came one after another.
続けて客が来た。
Customers came continuously (without a break).
立て続けに客が来た。
Customers came in rapid succession.
新しい店が次々にオープンした。
New stores opened one after another.
彼は次々に質問をした。
He asked questions one after another.
Means 'continuously' or 'in succession'. Often used when the same action is repeated without pause.
彼は3時間続けて働いた。
He worked for three hours straight.
続けて2回勝った。
We won two times in a row.
Formal/written word meaning 'one after another', often used for news or serious events.
事故が相次いで発生した。
Accidents occurred one after another.
A grammar pattern indicating repetition of actions in succession. Often used with verbs in te-form.
彼は食べては寝、食べては寝ている。
He eats and sleeps, eats and sleeps, over and over.
Means 'consecutively' or 'in a row'. Often used for numbers or records.
彼は5年連続して優勝した。
He won the championship for five consecutive years.
He drank three cups of coffee in rapid succession.
Literally 'arrow after arrow quickly', meaning 'in rapid succession', often used for questions or attacks.
記者は矢継ぎ早に質問した。
The reporter fired off questions in rapid succession.