continuo
/konˈtinwo/
The English word continuous translates to Spanish as continuo.
continuo is used to describe something that occurs without break, cessation or interruption in time.
Meaning: without break, cessation, or interruption in time (adj)
Which one should you use?
While continuo implies something without interruption, it is often used interchangeably with constante (constant) in contexts describing steady processes or flows.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, the form must agree with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form continua for feminine nouns, the masculine plural form continuos for masculine plural nouns and the feminine plural form continuas for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/konˈtinwo/
Did you know?
- Because it shares a root with the Latin 'tenēō', the Spanish word continuo is a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'tenacious'.
- In Spanish music history, a continuo refers to the 'basso continuo', a continuous bass line played by a keyboard and a bass instrument to provide the harmonic foundation of a piece.
- While continuo means continuous, Spanish speakers often use the phrase sin parar (without stopping) in daily conversation to describe an action that feels endless.
Examples in context
- El flujo de sangre suele ser constante y continuo.The blood stream is usually constant and continuous.This sentence is useful for describing the nature of a blood stream using continuo.Tatoeba #1152464 by marcelostockle, translation #1152467 by marcelostockle
- El continuo fluir del agua forma vaguadas en las partes más bajas de los valles.The continuous flow of water forms thalwegs in the lower parts of the valleys.This sentence uses continuo to describe the flow of water.Tatoeba #5630390 by arh, translation #6712669 by arh
- El cerebro necesita un suministro continuo de sangre.The brain needs a continuous supply of blood.This sentence shows how to describe a continuous supply of blood using continuo.Tatoeba #852939 by krash, translation #267665 by CK
- El flujo de información es continuo en nuestra empresa.The flow of information is continuous in our company.
- La música de fondo es ininterrumpida en el centro comercial.The background music is continuous in the shopping center.
- El compromiso de nuestro equipo de trabajo es permanente.The commitment of our work team is continuous.
- He estado estudiando seguido para el examen.I've been studying continuously for the exam.
- El perro ladra de manera continua cuando llaman al timbre.The dog barks continuously when the doorbell rings.
- Mi hermana habla por teléfono todo el tiempo.My sister talks on the phone all the time.
- El río fluye de forma continua hacia el mar.The river flows continuously towards the sea.
- Nuestro negocio ofrece atención al cliente de manera continua las 24 horas del día.Our business provides customer service continuously 24 hours a day.
- Estoy cansado/a porque he trabajado seguido sin descanso.I'm tired because I've been working continuously without a break.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are discussing a noise coming from the street.
- MateoHay un ruido continuo fuera de la casa.There is a continuous noise outside the house.
- María¿Es un sonido continuo o es intermitente?Is it a continuous sound or is it intermittent?
- MateoEs un ruido continuo que no para.It is a continuous noise that doesn't stop.
- MaríaQué molesto es ese ruido continuo.That continuous noise is so annoying.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “continuous” translations and entries continuo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries continuo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
