Translation guide
The English word 'nonstop' can describe continuous action, direct travel, or something that never stops. In Japanese, different words and patterns are used depending on the context.
Describing an action that continues without pausing or stopping.
An adverb meaning 'continuously' or 'all the time'. Very common in casual and spoken Japanese.
彼はずっと話していた。
He talked nonstop.
昨日はずっと雨が降っていた。
It rained nonstop yesterday.
Literally 'without rest'. Used for continuous work or activity. Slightly more formal than ずっと.
彼は休みなく働いた。
He worked nonstop.
Describing a flight, train, or bus that goes directly to a destination without intermediate stops.
Noun or suru-verb meaning 'direct (service)'. Used for transportation that goes directly without stops.
東京まで直行のバスはありますか？
Is there a nonstop bus to Tokyo?
直行便で行きます。
I'll go by nonstop flight.
Loanword from English. Often used in travel contexts, especially for flights.
Describing something that is perpetual or never-ending, like a machine or a process.
Negative form of 止まる (to stop). Means 'doesn't stop' or 'unstoppable'. Common in everyday speech.
この機械は24時間止まらない。
This machine runs nonstop 24 hours a day.
Adjective meaning 'incessant' or 'unending'. Used for continuous noise, effort, etc.
絶え間ない努力が必要だ。
Nonstop effort is necessary.
ずっと is more casual and subjective, often used for 'the whole time' or 'continuously' in daily conversation. 休みなく emphasizes the absence of breaks and is slightly more formal, suitable for describing work or effort.
彼はずっとゲームをしていた。
He was playing games nonstop.
彼は休みなく勉強した。
He studied nonstop (without taking a break).
ノンストップ is mainly used for transportation (flights, buses). Using it for continuous actions like talking or working can sound unnatural. Stick to ずっと or other native expressions for those cases.
I booked a nonstop flight.