How to Say "Second Time" in Japanese

2回目

nikai me

The Japanese phrase for 'second time' is 2回目 (nikai me).

The phrase refers to the second occurrence of a repeated event or action. You may also use the word 再度 to express the idea of a second time.

Which one should you use?

The phrase 二度目 (nidome) is a more literary or formal way to say 'second time' compared to the more common 2回目 (nikai me).

The suffix -目 (me) is used to transform a cardinal number into an ordinal number to indicate a specific position in a sequence.

nikai me

In formal apologies, Japanese speakers avoid saying 'this is the second time' and instead use 重ねて (kasanete), which means 'layering'. This frames the repetition as an accumulation of sincerity rather than a count of mistakes.
The phrase 二度と (nidoto) is almost exclusively used in negative sentences to mean 'never again'. It transforms the concept of a 'second time' into a strong vow or a permanent prohibition.
While 2回目 counts occurrences, the word 二度 (nido) often implies a repetitive quality of experience. In Japanese pop culture, 'second love' is called 二度目の恋, emphasizing a rekindled feeling rather than just a sequence.

2度目の来日が楽しみです。
I'm looking forward to the second visit to Japan.
2回目のデートにどこ行きたい？
Where do you want to go for the second date?
バスケの2度目の試合が来週だ。
The second basketball game is next week.
2回目はもっと上手くできます。
nikaime wa motto umaku dekimasu.
I can do better the second time.
これは2回目の訪問です。
kore wa nikaime no houmon desu.
This is the second visit.
2回目のアラームで目が覚めました。
nikaime no araamu de me ga samemashita.
I woke up at the second alarm.

Yota and Yui are talking about visiting a cafe.

結衣 Yui

このカフェ、前にも来たよね？
Kono kafe, mae ni mo kita yo ne?
We've been to this cafe before, right?
陽太 Yota

うん、今日は2回目だね。
Un, kyō wa nikaime da ne.
Yeah, today is the second time.
結衣 Yui

やっぱりここのコーヒーは美味しいね。
Yappari koko no kōhī wa oishii ne.
The coffee here really is delicious.
陽太 Yota

そうだね。また来よう。
Sō da ne. Mata koyō.
It is. Let's come again.

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