Translation guide
The English adverb "continuously" describes an action or state that goes on without stopping. In Japanese, the most natural way to express this depends on whether you mean a non-stop physical action, an uninterrupted state, or a repeated habitual action. The most common equivalent is ずっと (zutto), but other words like 絶えず (taezu) or しきりに (shikirini) are used in specific contexts.
ずっと雨が降っていた。
It rained continuously.
彼はずっと話し続けた。
He talked continuously.
Expressing that something happens all the time, without a break, in a general sense.
The most versatile and common way to say 'continuously' or 'all the time'. It can be used for both physical actions and states. Often implies 'the whole time' or 'throughout a period'.
昨日はずっと雨が降っていた。
It rained continuously yesterday.
彼はずっと話し続けた。
He kept talking continuously.
Means 'incessantly' or 'without ceasing'. Slightly more formal/literary than ずっと. Often used for things that continue without interruption, like noise or effort.
絶えず車の音が聞こえる。
The sound of cars can be heard continuously.
Means 'continuously' in the sense of 'ongoing' or 'still continuing'. Often used in formal or business contexts to indicate that a situation or action is still in progress.
引き続き調査を行っています。
We are continuously conducting the investigation.
Expressing that something happens many times in quick succession, or that things occur in a continuous stream.
Means 'one after another' or 'in rapid succession'. Used when events or items come continuously, not necessarily without any gap, but in a steady stream.
客が次々に来た。
Customers came continuously (one after another).
Means 'frequently' or 'incessantly'. Often used for repeated actions that feel continuous, like someone calling or a dog barking.
Means 'in rapid succession' or 'one right after another'. Emphasizes the lack of pause between actions.
彼は続けざまに質問した。
He asked questions continuously (one after another).
Emphasizing that a physical action continues without any pause.
Literally 'without rest'. Used for actions that are done non-stop, like working or moving.
彼は休みなく働いた。
He worked continuously (without a break).
Colloquial expression meaning 'straight through' or 'non-stop'. Often used for doing something for a long time without a break.
ぶっ通しでゲームをした。
I played games continuously (for hours straight).
Means 'consecutively' or 'in a row'. Often used for events or numbers, but can apply to actions.
彼は3時間連続して走った。
He ran continuously for three hours.
Expressing that a state or condition persists continuously over time.
Means 'always' or 'constantly'. Used for states that are continuously true, like a machine running or a person being busy.
この機械は常に動いている。
This machine is continuously running.
Means 'incessantly' or 'without a break'. Similar to 絶えず but often used for things like rain, noise, or effort that continue without pause.
絶え間なく雨が降っている。
It has been raining continuously.
ずっと is the most common and casual way to say 'continuously' and can be used in most situations. 絶えず is more literary and emphasizes 'without ceasing', often for negative things like noise. 常に means 'constantly' and is used for states or habits that are always true.
連続して is often used for consecutive numbers or events (e.g., 'three days in a row'), but it can sound unnatural for continuous physical actions. Use ずっと or 休みなく instead.
犬がしきりに吠えている。
The dog is barking continuously.