次々と

• Reading: つぎつぎと
• Romaji: tsugitsugito
• Kanji breakdown: 次 (tsugi) — next, following, subsequent
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ɡi.tsɯ.ɡi.to/

Meaning

One after another; in rapid succession. Describes events or things occurring in a continuous, unbroken sequence.

An adverb formed by reduplication of 次 (tsugi, next) plus the particle と. Emphasises the relentless, rapid pace at which things follow one another. Can be used without と as 次々 (tsugitsugi), but 次々と is more common in written Japanese. Often used with verbs of appearance or occurrence: 次々と現れる (appear one after another), 次々と問題が起きる (problems arise in succession).

Examples

1. 新しい店が次々とオープンしている。 New stores are opening one after another.
2. 問題が次々と発生して対応が追いつかない。 Problems are arising in rapid succession and we can't keep up.
3. 選手たちが次々とゴールを決めた。 The players scored goals one after another.

Usage Guide

Context: news, narrative, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Formed by reduplication of 次 (tsugi, next). Reduplication in Japanese intensifies and conveys repetition, so 次々 means 'next after next' — a rapid chain of successive events.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal