演習 and 反復: an exercise and the method of repetition
Compare an exercise or drill with repeating an action, separating what is practised from how the action is repeated.
Naming an exercise with 演習
演習 (えんしゅう) names an exercise or drill used for practice. The example 「授業の後半に会話の演習を行いました。」 is translated as “We practiced conversation in the second half of class.” Identify the content being practised through the exercise.
The example 「研修では、架空の事故を想定した対応演習に参加しました。」 is translated as “During the training, we participated in a response drill based on a simulated accident.” The drill is a training activity; it does not report that an actual disaster or accident has occurred.
Repeating an action with 反復
反復 (はんぷく) refers to repeating an action or content. The example 「短い文を反復して発音を練習した。」 is translated as “I practiced pronunciation by repeating short sentences.” Read which action or learning content is repeated.
The example 「同じ動作の反復が基礎を身に付ける助けになった。」 is translated as “Repeating the same movement helped me master the basics.” Preserve the repetition without adding an exact number or duration that is not supplied.
The exercise and the way it is performed
演習 focuses on the exercise or drill, while 反復 focuses on doing something repeatedly. An exercise itself may be repeated, so the words do not create a choice between practice and repetition.
Conversation practice and the simulated-accident drill identify exercise content; repeating sentences or a movement identifies the method. The final example says repetition helped with the basics, without guaranteeing the same result or a fixed number of repetitions in every case.
If someone repeats an 演習, what different information do 演習 and 反復 provide?
Show the answer and why
演習 identifies the exercise or drill being performed. 反復 identifies the repeated way of performing it. They can concern one activity, but its practice content and whether it is repeated are different facts.