계속해
gyesokhae
The English phrase "go on" translates to the Korean verb 계속해 (gyesokhae) in its default form.
The phrase is used to encourage someone to resume an action they were performing or to keep speaking.
Meaning: continue an action (verb)
Which one should you use?
계속해 is a casual expression that conveys keep going or keep doing. 계속하세요 translates to please continue or please go on. The form 계속해라 is a plain imperative often used in writing or when a superior speaks to an inferior. 가세요 is used when politely instructing someone to continue or go ahead and is the formal imperative form of the verb 가다.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix -세요 to the stem makes the command 'please continue' polite. The form 계속해라 is a plain imperative.
How do you pronounce it?
gyesokhae
Did you know?
- To tell someone to 'go on' in the sense of 'go ahead' in a doorway, Koreans often use the verb for 'to precede' 먼저 가세요 rather than the verb for 'continue' 계속.
- While 계속해 means 'go on', you can also use the word 더 which means 'more' to achieve the same effect. In a conversation, simply saying 더 can act as a nudge for someone to continue speaking.
- The word 계속 originates from Chinese characters meaning 'continuous' and 'connection'. In Korean, this allows the word to function as both a verb and a noun meaning 'continuity'.
Examples in context
- 일을 계속하세요Please continue working
- 말해봐Go on, speak
- 공부를 계속해Keep studying
- 이야기를 계속하세요.Please continue the story.
- 여기서 오른쪽으로 가세요.Please go right from here.
- 계속 말해봐.Go on, speak.
- 하던 일을 계속해.hadeon ireul gyesokhae.Continue what you were doing.
- 그 이야기를 계속해.geu iyagireul gyesokhae.Go on with that story.
- 공부를 계속해.gongbureul gyesokhae.Continue studying.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are in a library and Minjun wants Jieun to finish her work.
- 민준 Min-jun지은아, 하던 일을 계속해.Jieun-a, hadeon ireul gyesokhae.Jieun, continue what you were doing.
- 지은 Ji-eun응, 조금만 더 할게.eung, jogeumman deo halge.Okay, I will do a little more.
- 민준 Min-jun열심히 하는 모습이 멋져.yeolsimhi haneun moseubi meotjyeo.You look great working so hard.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워, 민준아.gomawo, Minjun-a.Thanks, Minjun.
