<p>The purpose of this study is to identify characteristics of verbal behavior of native speakers of Japanese and learners of Japanese, focusing on repetition and rephrasing in direction-giving discourse. This study addresses the following three questions. (1) In relation to what kind of information are repetition and rephrasing used? (2) At what points are repetition and rephrasing used? (3) What kinds of reactions are expressed by interlocutors following the use of repetition and rephrasing?</p><p>The results reveal the following differences among the native speakers and the learners of Japanese. (1) Among native speakers of Japanese, the use of repetition and rephrasing depends on specific information in the discourse, but this distinction is not evident among learners. (2) Among native speakers of Japanese, either repetition or rephrasing occurs only immediately after the relevant utterance, but among learners of Japanese, they may also occur at other points. (3) Among native speakers of Japanese, characteristic and distinct reactions to repetition and rephrasing are evident, but this kind of distinction is not evident among learners of Japanese.</p><p>The above findings demonstrate that the acquisition of "repetition" and "rephrasing" as a discourse development function is inadequate among learners of Japanese. The results of the present study also suggest the possibility that the meaning and function of utterances differ according to the speaker's native language status.</p>