Translation guide
Expressing the continuation of an action or state in Japanese. The most natural translation depends on whether the action is ongoing, habitual, or involves maintaining a state.
To express that someone continues to perform an action, often despite difficulty or over a period of time.
Attach 続ける to the masu-stem of a verb to mean 'keep doing'. This is the most direct and common way to express continuous action.
彼は走り続けた。
He kept running.
雨が降り続けている。
It keeps raining.
Used to emphasize that an action is currently in progress, similar to 'be in the middle of doing'. It can imply 'keep doing' in context.
今、宿題をしているところだ。
I'm in the middle of doing my homework (so I'll keep doing it).
Attach まくる to the masu-stem for 'doing something like crazy' or 'non-stop'. Very casual and emphatic.
彼はゲームをやりまくっている。
He keeps playing games like crazy.
To express that a state or habitual action persists over time.
Using ずっと with the ている form emphasizes that the action or state has been continuing for a long time.
彼はずっと待っている。
He keeps waiting (has been waiting for a long time).
ずっと考えているんだけど、わからない。
I keep thinking about it, but I don't understand.
Means 'doing nothing but...' or 'always doing...'. It often carries a negative nuance of doing something too much.
彼は文句を言ってばかりいる。
He keeps complaining (does nothing but complain).
Attach to masu-stem. Means leaving something in a state, often with a nuance of neglect. 'Keep ...-ing' in the sense of leaving it on/doing.
テレビをつけっぱなしにしないで。
Don't keep the TV on (leave it on).
To emphasize continuing an action in the face of obstacles or effort.
Same as above, but often used with adverbs like 頑張って (do one's best) to stress perseverance.
頑張って走り続けた。
I kept running with all my might.
Attach to masu-stem. Means to do something to the end, to see it through. Implies overcoming difficulty.
最後まで走り抜いた。
I kept running until the end (I ran the whole way).
To express making or letting someone continue an action, or keeping something in a state.
Causative form + 続ける. Used when someone makes another person keep doing something.
先生は生徒を立たせ続けた。
The teacher kept the students standing.
Means to leave something in a resulting state. 'Keep something done'.
窓を開けたままにしておいて。
Keep the window open (leave it open).
Do not translate 'keep' as 保つ (tamotsu) or 維持する (iji suru) when expressing continuous action. Those words mean 'maintain/preserve' and are not used for 'keep doing'.
V-続ける emphasizes the continuation itself, often with effort or over time. V-ている simply states an ongoing action. Use V-続ける when you want to stress 'keep on doing'.