ては〜ては

ては〜ては is used to describe repeated actions or states that occur in succession, often with a nuance of frustration, exasperation, or emphasis on the recurring nature. It paints a picture of events alternating or looping, like “every time X happens, Y happens” or “X, and then Y, and then X again.” It is common in narration of daily life, habitual patterns, or situations that keep repeating, sometimes implying that the repetition is problematic or tiresome. The construction is built from the te-form of a verb (or the te-form of adjectives/nouns where applicable) + は, followed by the same pattern again with ては. Typical usage expands beyond mere sequence to convey emotion about the recurrence.