Japanese word

延々

Pronunciation

Romajien'en

Meaning

  • adverbon and on

Example

彼は延々と話し続けます。kare wa en en to hana shi tsuzu ke ma su

He talks on and on.

Illustration for 延々 (on and on)

More examples

会議では、彼が延々と同じ話を繰り返します。kai gi de wa kare ga en en to ona ji hanashi o ku ri kae shi ma su

In meetings, he repeats the same story on and on.

Core concept

Shows an activity continuing so long that it seems almost endless.

Common phrases

  • 延々と話すen en to hana su

    speak on and on

  • 延々と続くen en to tsuzu ku

    continue endlessly

  • 延々と待つen en to ma tsu

    wait endlessly

Similar words

長々naganaga: Describes speech or writing that continues for a very long time.
だらだらdaradara: Describes speech or another activity that continues in a slow, unfocused, or tedious way.
ずっとzutto: Indicates that something continues without interruption for a period of time, whether long or short.
いつまでもitsumademo: Indicates that something continues for an indefinite time, often beyond the expected point of ending.

Definition in Japanese

物事がいつまでも終わらないように、長い時間にわたって続くさま。mono goto ga i tsu ma de mo o wa ra na i yō ni naga i ji kan ni wa ta tte tsuzu ku sa ma

Word origin

延々 (en'en) repeats 延 (en, "extend"), using repetition to express something extending for a seemingly endless time.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 延々 (en'en) often describes someone talking on and on, with focus on the length of the speech rather than its content.

Other meanings

  • endlesslyadverb
  • continuouslyadverb

Word lists with this word