しきりに

• Reading: しきりに
• Romaji: shikirini
• Kanji breakdown: 頻 (hin) — frequent, repeated (kanji form 頻りに is rarely used)
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.ki.ɾi.ni/

Meaning

Frequently; repeatedly; eagerly; incessantly. Describes persistent repeated action.

An adverb describing actions performed repeatedly or with notable insistence: しきりに電話が鳴る (the phone rings incessantly), しきりに頼む (to ask repeatedly/eagerly). Carries a sense that the repetition is noticeable or noteworthy — not just frequent but persistent enough to draw attention.

Examples

1. 彼はしきりに時計を気にしていた。 He kept checking his watch constantly.
2. 赤ちゃんがしきりに泣いている。 The baby is crying nonstop.
3. 彼女はしきりに謝っていたが許してもらえなかった。 She apologized repeatedly, but wasn't forgiven.

Usage Guide

Context: narrative, conversation, description

Tone: observational

Origin & History

Written in kanji as 頻りに, from 頻 (hin, frequent/repeated). The character 頻 contains 歩 (step) and 頁 (head), evoking the image of someone nodding repeatedly or pacing back and forth.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal