继续
jixu
In Chinese, "go on" is translated as 继续 (jixu).
继续 is used for both physical actions (like walking) and abstract processes (like a meeting or a conversation).
Meaning: continue an action (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 继续 means to continue an action, it is distinct from 仍然, which means 'still' and describes a state that persists.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, 喺度繼續 means "Go on right here."
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 继续 is typically followed directly by a verb or a verb phrase to indicate what action is being continued. Adding the directional complement 下去 (xiàqù) to 继续 makes the phrase sound more natural when describing an action that continues from the present into the future, forming 继续下去.
How do you pronounce it?
jixu
Did you know?
- While English uses 'go on' to mean both 'continue' and 'happen' (e.g., 'What is going on?'), Chinese uses completely different words for these two concepts. You cannot use 继续 to ask what is happening.
- In written Chinese, you may see the more formal version 延续 (yánxù) used for things like traditions or life. While 继续 is for actions, 延续 is for the continuation of an existence or a lineage.
- When you want to encourage a friend to 'go on' with a story, using only 继续 can sound a bit too stiff or commanding. Casual speakers often prefer more descriptive, emotive verbs instead.
Examples in context
- 请继续讲你的故事。Please go on with your story.Tatoeba #2004697 by sadhen, translation #16850 by papabear
- 让我像这样继续下去是绝对不可能的。It's absolutely impossible for me to go on like this.Tatoeba #1776719 by sadhen, translation #54702 by CM
- 请继续你的演讲。Please continue your presentation.
- 工作还未完成，请继续努力。The work is not yet completed. Please continue to put effort into it.
- 请进行下一项任务。Please proceed to the next task.
- 会议还没有结束，请大家继续进行讨论。The meeting has not ended yet. Please continue the discussion.
- 我们还有很多地方要参观，继续吧！We have many places to visit. Let's keep going!
- 别放弃，干吧，你做得到的！Don't give up, go on, you can do it!
- 你可以继续工作了。Nǐ kěyǐ jìxù gōngzuò le.You can continue working now.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are interrupted during a meeting.
- 雨婷 Yuting对不起，我刚才走开了。Duìbuqǐ, wǒ gāngcái zǒu kāi le.Sorry, I stepped away for a moment.
- 伟 Wei没关系，雨婷。Méi guānxi, Yǔtíng.It's okay, Yuting.
- 雨婷 Yuting请继续说，伟。Qǐng jìxù shuō, Wěi.Please go on, Wei.
- 伟 Wei好的，我刚才说到这里。Hǎode, wǒ gāngcái shuō dào zhèlǐ.Okay, I was just saying this.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
