しきりに

しきりに
adverb
frequently, repeatedly, eagerly
1. frequently, repeatedly
Describes actions that happen many times in succession.
(かれ)はしきりに時計(とけい)()ていた。
He kept looking at his watch repeatedly.
しきりに電話(でんわ)()っている。
The phone keeps ringing constantly.
今日(きょう)はしきりに(あめ)()ったり()んだりしている。
Today it keeps raining and stopping repeatedly.
2. eagerly, earnestly
Describes doing something with great enthusiasm or persistence.
彼女(かのじょ)はしきりに(わたし)留学(りゅうがく)(すす)めた。
She eagerly kept recommending that I study abroad.
(はは)はしきりに「()をつけてね」と()っていた。
My mother kept earnestly saying, "Be careful."
(かれ)はしきりに(あやま)っていたが、本当(ほんとう)反省(はんせい)しているかどうかは()からない。
He was apologizing repeatedly, but I don't know if he truly feels remorseful.

Often implies that the action is noticeable or somewhat excessive. Can have either a neutral or slightly negative nuance depending on context.

PATTERNS:

  • しきりに〜する (to do something repeatedly)
  • しきりに〜を(もと)める (to persistently seek something)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 頻繁(ひんぱん)に is more formal and neutral
  • 何度(なんど)も emphasizes the number of times
  • しきりに adds a nuance of persistence or eagerness