続ける
tsuzukeru[t͡sɨzɨke̞ɾɯ̟]
The English verb 'continue' is translated into Japanese as 続ける (tsuzukeru).
続ける is a common and straightforward way to express the act of continuing something.
Meaning: transitive: proceed (verb)
Which one should you use?
続ける is a transitive verb, meaning it is used when you are continuing an object or an action. In contrast, 続く is the intransitive counterpart, which means 'to continue' or 'to go on' by itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form 続ける can be used directly after a noun-modifying clause, such as in the phrase 続けること (tsuzukeru koto) to mean 'the act of continuing'.
How do you pronounce it?
tsuzukeru
Did you know?
- When a Japanese person wants to say 'Please continue' to a speaker, they might say どうぞ (douzo) instead of using the verb 続ける.
- The kanji used in 続ける (tsuzukeru) is often associated with the concept of 'binding' or 'connecting' things together in ancient usage.
- The word 続く (tsuzuku) appears at the end of episodes in Japanese television dramas, functioning like the English 'To be continued'.
Examples in context
- 僕らは続けることができた。We could continue.This sentence is useful for showing how to express the ability to continue using 続ける.Tatoeba #7492633 by Ninja, translation #2241058 by CK
- これを続けるのは無理だよ。I can't continue doing this.This sentence shows how to express the impossibility of continuing an action using 続ける.Tatoeba #11888716 by bunbuku, translation #1951430 by CK
- 勉強を続けることにしました。I decided to continue studying.This sentence demonstrates how to use 続ける to describe the decision to continue a specific activity.Tatoeba #12462035 by small_snow, translation #10255226 by ddnktr
- 勉強を続けています。I am continuing my studies.
- 努力を継続しましょう。Let's continue our efforts.
- 雨が続いている。The rain continues.
- ゲームをつづけよう。Let's continue playing the game.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are discussing a hobby they started together.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、この習い事を続ける？Yōta, kono naraigoto o tsuzukeru?Yota, are you going to continue these lessons?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、僕はまだ続けたいよ。Un, boku wa mada tsuzuketai yo.Yeah, I still want to continue.
- 結衣 Yuiよかった。一緒に続けようね。Yokatta. Issho ni tsuzukeyō ne.I'm glad. Let's continue together.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。頑張ろう！Sō da ne. Ganbarō!Right. Let's do our best!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “continue” translations and entries 続ける, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
