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'.
It continues to rain.
He continued running.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to continue' or 'to last'. Used for states, events, or conditions that go on by themselves.
The meeting is still continuing.
How long will this weather continue?
Transitive verb meaning 'to continue (something)'. Used when someone actively keeps something going.
He continued his work.
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.
Let's resume the meeting.
Construction will resume next month.
Literally 'start V-ing again'. A casual way to say 'continue' after a break.
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.
I fell asleep with the window open (continuing to be open).
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.
Please continue straight along this road.
The plan is continuing smoothly.
Formal verb meaning 'to continue (an action or process)', often used for events, operations, or journeys.
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'.
He continues to live / is still alive.
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'.
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.
Let's continue from where we left off.
そのまま続けてください。
Please continue as you are.
He continues to be busy as ever.