Translation guide
The English verb 'continue' covers several related ideas: to keep doing something without stopping, to resume after a pause, to remain in a state, and to proceed onward. Japanese uses different verbs and patterns for each nuance.
To express that an action or state goes on without interruption.
Attach 続ける to the stem of a verb to mean 'continue doing V'. This is the most direct and common way to say 'continue to do something'.
雨が降り続けている。
It continues to rain.
彼は走り続けた。
He continued running.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to continue' or 'to last'. Used for states, events, or conditions that go on by themselves.
会議はまだ続いている。
The meeting is still continuing.
この天気はいつまで続くのだろう。
How long will this weather continue?
Transitive verb meaning 'to continue (something)'. Used when someone actively keeps something going.
彼は仕事を続けた。
He continued his work.
話を続けてください。
Please continue your story.
To express that an action or state starts again after being interrupted.
Formal verb meaning 'to resume' or 'to restart'. Common in business or official contexts.
会議を再開しましょう。
Let's resume the meeting.
工事は来月再開される。
Construction will resume next month.
Literally 'start V-ing again'. A casual way to say 'continue' after a break.
彼はまた話し始めた。
He continued talking (after a pause).
Noun meaning 'continuation' or 'the rest'. Often used in phrases like 続きをする (do the rest) or 続きから (from where we left off).
To express that someone or something stays in the same condition or place.
Used after the past tense of a verb to mean 'leaving something as it is' or 'while still in that state'. Implies continuation of a state without change.
窓を開けたまま寝てしまった。
I fell asleep with the window open (continuing to be open).
彼は立ったまま動かなかった。
He continued standing without moving.
Adverb meaning 'as it is' or 'just like that'. Used to tell someone to continue without changing anything.
To express moving forward along a path or continuing a journey.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to advance' or 'to go forward'. Used for physical movement or progress.
この道をまっすぐ進んでください。
Please continue straight along this road.
計画は順調に進んでいる。
The plan is continuing smoothly.
Formal verb meaning 'to continue (an action or process)', often used for events, operations, or journeys.
悪天候のため試合は続行できない。
The game cannot continue due to bad weather.
To express that a state or quality persists over time.
The ている form of a verb often indicates a continuing state resulting from an action, or an ongoing action. It can translate to 'continue to be'.
彼はまだ生きている。
He continues to live / is still alive.
その習慣は今も続いている。
That custom continues even now.
Adverb meaning 'as ever' or 'still'. Used to say that a situation continues unchanged, often with a nuance of 'same as always'.
彼は相変わらず忙しい。
He continues to be busy as ever.
続ける is transitive (someone continues something), while 続く is intransitive (something continues by itself). Compare: 会議を続ける (continue the meeting) vs. 会議が続く (the meeting continues).
While V-続ける is common, it can sound stiff in casual speech. For simple ongoing actions, V-ている is often more natural. Use 続ける when emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of the action.
Let's continue (the rest) tomorrow.
続きから始めましょう。
Let's continue from where we left off.
Please continue as you are.