Translation guide
Expressing that something happens without interruption, continues over time, or is ongoing. Japanese uses different words and grammar depending on whether it's an unbroken sequence, a state that persists, or an action in progress.
Something that goes on without stopping, like continuous rain or a continuous line.
Used for a series of events or things that happen one after another without a break. Often used as a noun or with する.
We've had continuous rainy days.
Literally 'without a gap', emphasizes that something never stops. Often used for sounds, efforts, or natural phenomena.
I couldn't sleep because of the continuous noise.
Means 'unbroken' or 'without interruption', often for a flow or stream of things.
The flow of cars is continuous.
A state or action that persists, like continuous improvement or continuous support.
A formal adjective meaning 'continuous' in the sense of ongoing over time. Often used in business or technical contexts.
Continuous improvement is necessary.
Similar to 継続的, but often implies sustainability or maintaining a state. Common in environmental or economic contexts.
The verb 'to continue'. Use in the ている form to describe something that is currently continuing.
An action that is ongoing right now, like 'I am continuously studying'.
The standard progressive form. It can mean an action in progress or a resulting state. For continuous action, it's often used with adverbs like ずっと.
He has been working continuously since morning.
Attach to the masu-stem of a verb to mean 'continue doing'. Emphasizes the continuation of the action.
She talked continuously.
Something physical that is unbroken, like a continuous line or a continuous stretch of land.
連続 (renzoku) is for a series of discrete events happening one after another without pause. 継続的 (keizokuteki) is for something that persists over time, often with effort. 持続的 (jizokuteki) is similar but often implies sustainability or a natural continuation.
a continuous drama series (episodes airing one after another)
continuous effort (ongoing over time)
sustainable development (continuous in a sustainable way)
The word 連続的 (renzokuteki) exists but is less common than 連続 or 継続的. In many cases, 連続して or 連続した is more natural.
持続的な成長を目指す。
We aim for continuous growth.
雨がずっと続いている。
The rain has been continuous.
A continuous forest stretches out.